Any ideas on the value and manufacture date on this rifle? Bought many years ago and been in the safe ever since. I have never shot it. Very nice bore, bluing, and stock except for black spots in wood.
L 71 would indicate a 1971 manufacture date. From ‘66 to about’72 or ‘74, those guns could have what’s called ‘salt wood’. If so, the value is much less as well as desirability. Best way to tell is pull the action out of the stock and see if there are rust areas.
If the wood is salt-free, bore is good and no defects that aren’t shown, I think it’s about $1650. It would be a couple hundred more if it had a long extractor.
If you are unfamiliar with the salt problem in Browning’s from about 1966 to 1970/71, here is a video that describes the problem.
Look closely anywhere the wood meets metal for rust, as well as pulling buttplate or recoil pad screws to check for rust. If it is a salt gun, the value is cut by at least half.
I don't see any rust on any of the screw heads, but I will pull some screws today and check further. I would think if there was any amount of salt wood some rust would have shown up by now (51 year old rifle). We'll see.
Generally, on that old a rifle you'd see evidence of salt, but if it's been in a dry climate, it may be minimal or hard to see unless you pull the screws, action, etc.
Rockman: I think "the right person" (headed to Africa/Alaska?) would pay close to $2,000.00 for that rifle (if salt free). I have known two people who have owned those Browning "High Power" Rifles in caliber 375 H&H and another friend had one in 7m/m Remington Magnum - all were pleasingly accurate and reliable - they are heavy. Good luck if you decide to sell it. Closest to one of these I have owned was a Browning High Power in 222 Remington Magnum - boy I wish I had that one back! Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
Never heard of salt wood before, but after pulling the action today I know what it is now. A couple of places on the underside of barrel and on both sides the action there is some pitting (rust), not a lot and very shallow, but it's there. None of this can be seen with the action in the stock, but it is there. I'm sure this in no way would affect the usefulness of the gun. I'm including a couple of pics. Would appreciate any revised updates as to value.
Damn. That’s a beautiful rifle. Sorry about the salt wood.
Selmer
"Daddy, can you sometime maybe please go shoot a water buffalo so we can have that for supper? Please? And can I come along? Does it taste like deer?" - my 3-year old daughter
That's a kick in the nuts. Salt wood almost bankrupted Browning! What a dumb mistake to save time! I'm in the market for a 375H&H Safari Grade to go with my 300H&H so I'm certainly disappointed. Good luck, Ed
It cost me about $500 35 years ago to learn about salt wood Brownings. An expensive lesson to me in those days, I never forgot it. Too darn bad as that 30-06 was otherwise a lovely thing. I’d think a good, if not perfect, Browning 375 barreled action would still be worth $750 or so. That’s kind of how I’d approach a rifle like this. I’ve never heard of a good way to salvage these stocks.
There is one on GB right now with a bid of $1350. Only 1 bid though? That one not only has salt wood (clearly seen in the pics) it looks like it was also dragged through the Atlantic Ocean. No comparison to mine. We'll see where that goes. GB may be the way to go with this. Just curious, would somehow sealing the inletting maybe help? Thanks for the info & opinions.
