Forgot serial # on previous question

Question
QUESTION: Hey did I not tell you that I wasn't an expert!! The serial number on the browning is S3038.  Thanks and here is the original email I sent. "Hello there! I purchased a belgium browing sweet sixteen for my 15 year old son. (He has wanted one since he starting hunting a couple of years ago). I looked around and found one is very good shape for $450. The seller (pawn shop) commented that the serial number was very low. I was curious about what year the gun was made. Regardless I will have one happy boy on his sixteenth birthday in August!! Thanks you for any info you have.  Tammy (who is not a gun expert!!!)"

ANSWER: Tammy,

Your Sweet 16 was made in 1953. It is good to see young people still enjoying the outdoors. Keep in mind that you do not want to shoot steel shot thru a Belgium era Browning. The steel shot will bulge the barrel and ruin it. Hope this helps.

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Let me get your input on something. The stock and forearm are in pretty good shape on this gun but does have some scratches. I thought about having them refinished and reblueing the gun after my son hunts a couple of years with it. Maybe for a graduation present, (we bought my older son a Browning Lite 12 when he graduated). Would it be better to put the wooden pieces up and leave them original and buy synthetic stocks for him to hunt with and would reblueing the gun lessen the value in the long run because it wouldn't be "original"? This gun is in amazing shape for the price. It was definitely used but was well cared for. Even the wooden "pin" (I have no idea what this is called) in the "choke" tube looks brand new with "made in Belgium" clearly marked. Thanks again for all of your help!!

Answer
If the shotgun is not in prestine shape, I wouldn't worry too much about having it reblued or refinished. The only time a refinish hurts the value considerably is when the shotgun was near mint to begin with. If it has some blue wear, scratches, dings, and dents. I would hunt with it and enjoy it in the field.

Jim