Dear Bruce,

I really want to buy a B-25. I recently found an American Pintail, unfired in the case. The gun is #498 of 500. I can get it for $4,900. This is a little pricey for me, but it is a beautiful gun. Would you consider this a good price?

Also, if I don’t get this gun, where would you suggest looking for a nice B-25 for perhaps a bit less money.

Thank you,

Randy

Dear Randy,

I am not familiar with the B-25 designation of “Pintail”. I know that you are talking about the Presentation series of partially hand engraved, partially acid etched guns from ’77-’84, but I don’t know exactly which one the Pintail is. According to Fjestad’s Blue Book of Gun Values, the Presentation series in 100% condition range from $2850 to $7500, depending on whether it is a Presentation 1 up to 4, with or without gold.

If you are in the Browning search, I highly recommend that you subscribe to The Gun List, Krause Publications, 700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990, tel: 715-445-2214, <www.gunlist.com>. You will find quite a selection of Belgian Browning B-25s in that paper every two weeks. You ought to be able to get a good condition grade one for around $1200 from a private party. Dealers will try to add a few hundred more on to that. Naturally, the higher grade guns (pigeon, pointer, Diana, Midas) will cost more.

Good luck on your hunt. The B-25s are my favorite O/Us, but you really ought to do a little reading up on them before your plunge into the used market. Schwing’s book “The Browning Superposed”, (ahem- available from Amazon through Shotgun Report’s book section) is by far the best on the subject.

Best regards,

Bruce Buck
The Technoid writing for Shotgun Report, LLC