Browning Citori Grade 1 12 Gauge Over/Under, 26" Fixed Chokes (Mod/IC), 3" Chambers, 1978 Japan
This Browning Citori Hunting Grade 1 is a 1978 Miroku-made 12 gauge over/under with 26" Special Steel barrels, factory scroll engraving, and classic Grade 1 appointments. It features fixed chokes (upper Modified, lower Improved Cylinder), a ventilated and matted top rib, and a single-selective gold-colored trigger with tang safety/selector. Marked with Browning's dual-address barrel legend and "Made in Japan," this example also shows matching serial numbers on the tang, forearm iron, and barrel monoblock.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Specific Condition Notes: The firearm is in solid working shape. Scratches and blemishes are present on the walnut furniture and on the blued finish. Small, localized areas of pitting are visible. The bores present bright, generally clean surfaces with minor corrosion consistent with the stated rating. The ejectors are properly timed.
Barrel-to-receiver fit is slightly loose, and the action drops open with little resistance. The locking lug shows ample remaining life. The lower firing pin exhibits slight pitting; the upper firing pin is clean. The stock has a slight right-hand cast-off.
What’s Included
- Browning Citori Over/Under Shotgun Operation and Care manual
- Browning Citori factory carton end-label clipping (Hunting Grade 1, 12 ga, 26" barrels, MOD/IMP CYL)
Manufactured by Miroku in Japan for Browning, this Grade 1 Citori carries a classic gloss blued steel receiver with factory-applied scroll-style engraving panels. The RP date code indicates 1978 production, placing it squarely in the early Japanese-made Citori era known for robust steel construction and clean machining.
The 26" steel barrels are marked "Special Steel" and cut with 3" chambers (also suitable for 2¾"). A ventilated, matted top rib promotes a clear sighting plane. Chokes are fixed and correctly labeled: upper Modified and lower Improved Cylinder.
Controls include a single-selective, gold-colored trigger paired with a top‑tang safety and barrel selector. The ejectors are present and properly timed, complementing the break-action layout for efficient field use.
The walnut furniture features a pistol-grip stock with cut checkering, a long field-style fore-end, and a Browning-marked buttplate. Length of pull measures 14.0". Markings include "Browning Citori" on the receiver; a dual-address Browning Arms Company legend (Morgan, Utah & Montreal P.Q.) with "Made in Japan" on the barrels; proof/inspection stamps on the monoblock; and a "3" stamp near the upper barrel lug. The tang, forearm iron, and barrel monoblock share matching numbers.