I think you're the closest one that got it right so far. If it had been in pristine condition that gun probably would have gone for 16 or $1,700. Because of the stock I think that's why it was as cheap as it was. I checked the rib and it is fine.ill be the one to say he paid about what that gun was worth. someone ruined any collector value in it when they cut the long trigger tang in half. also, it looks like the forearm wood fit is poor, as there is a significant gap where the forearm meets the receiver. cant see the top lever position, but from the fact that there is no bluing left on the trigger tang and the opening lever looks to have heavy wear, the gun appears that it was shot a lot. That may not be a big deal, Superposeds can go hundreds of thousands of rounds and still be functional.
if i had seen this before he bought, i would have told him to check all the ribs to make sure they weren't loose. i have seen loose ribs on 50s guns with much less wear than that one has, and i suspect this one might be the same way. unless its already happened and the rib was repaired, which would be the best case scenario he could hope for.
But, as i look closer at the picture, it looks like this is not a 50s gun, but a pre-war shotgun with the horseshoe front end and no cross-bolt on the forearm. if that is true, that makes the transgressions of replacing the wood and cutting the tang even more egregious. Though a pre-war vent rib would have a noticeable step up right after the breech, but i may not be able to see it from the pictures. OR.... that is a non-factory vent rib that was added later.
that picture he posted raises a lot of questions.
I think you're the closest one that got it right so far. If it had been in pristine condition that gun probably would have gone for 16 or $1,700. Because of the stock I think that's why it was as cheap as it was. I checked the rib and it is fine.
Another option for chokes and installation is Michael Orlen. http://users.dls.net/~rdouglas/MikeOrlen.pdf I had him install thin wall Sporting Clays screw-in chokes in my Auto 5 and they work beautifully, the gun shoots to POA and patterns very well. Also had him lengthen and polish the forcing cone while he had the barrel.
Just as an FYI on an issue that may or may not matter to you . . .
I have a couple of Citori shotguns (trap and skeet) and when steel shot really starting coming in, I contacted Browning about whether or not it was safe in my guns; Browning confirmed that it WAS fine in later production (IIRC, sometime in the '70s - I forget exactly what year), but is NOT recommended in older guns.
So using steel shot in your 1950's vintage Superposed would be ill advised.
I've shot a couple thousand steel rounds through my 50's Superposed with no ill effect. Choke size might matter however. Mine's SK/SK.
I have other shotguns and had never been much of a semi-auto or pump guy because of the overall length and feel (just preferred O/U and SxS) but I love the way the 18.25" barrel transformed the Auto 5 into a quick-handling and deadly gun for me. I originally built it primarily for a HD gun but it's my favorite for a lot of shotgunning activities now.I had an A-5 solid rib 20 gauge magnum done just like this. has become my go to lead shot grouse gun.
If it is indeed a Belgian Superposed it is a steal but PLEASE don't adulterate it with screw in chokes. I wouldn't even ream it. If it is that old and has 30" barrels and those chokes it was a trap gun LEAVE IT ALONE AND CHERISH IT.