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Today I bought a Browning SA 22 Takedown rifle (I THINK) there is not a model or patent on it. How can I date it? Thanks.

Browning name on it? Look for proof marks. You can tell by the proofs whether it was made in Japan or Belgium. That's a start.

Several rifles ave been made on the Browning patents...

If all else fails..

Here are some pics...says Made in Belgium.

That's a good one... Now go to the web site I linked to and see just when it was made..

Where did they put the serial numbers?

I have a T 87 181 stamped into the magazine tube stop plate (I think) nothing else resembles a serial number.

Thanks

I know the T stands for Long Rifle but one of the FN experts will need to chime in with more info.

Geo

If you decide to scope it, good luck finding LOW 3/8ths rail rings. I've looked until I'm blue. Very frustrating.




DMc

leupold base and low DD's......you may have to 'lean' into it a tad, as the front ring is out there.....

Thanks Don,

Aren�t you getting tired of coming to my aide?

I�ve looked for LOW rings for so long that stubbornness has taken over. I know there�s a zillion Weaver rings floating around out there, but I�ll be danged if I can find ONE single set!

I�m at the point where I�d probably buy another rifle just to scavenge the rings, then sell the rifle before giving in to changing the base. My hard-headedness comes from my Mother�s side of the family! LOL


DMc
PS: You're suggesting a "crane forward" rather than "stretch upward". Are you trying to make me a hunchback?

If you ever come to the dark side, the other advantage of the leup base is being able to leave the rear sight on. All ya gotta do is dremel out a bit on the bottom to acommodate the site screw....

See edited "PS" posted above.


DMc

Don,

PS / PS: Note, my barrel is 2" longer than yours! I'm sure you know why. I don't think I wanna dremel on it.


DMc

Love those rifles, I see a couple more in my future as the first two of my three sons have turned out to be wrong handed, be another year two before I get #3 figured out.

bump

Your Auto-22 was made 1956-57.

Browning used ONLY a letter "T" prefix (with NO numerals preceeding the "T") from 1956 to mid 1961 - your rifle was the 181'st made that production run (starting in 1956).

After mid-1961, there was a digit (or two) preceeding the "T" (or "A" for .22 Short) that designated the year of production.

The receiver SN was sometimes stamped into the forward face of the receiver - visible only after taking down the bbl/forend off the rifle.



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Thanks Rangr44. It is confusing. Looks like I have a keeper.

If it says "made in Belgium" (which it does), you have a winner.

I have a like new 63' model and its one of the sweetest shooting little guns I've shot.

I love it and wont ever give it up. Enjoy yours!

Just heated it up with 50 rounds. Sweetest 22 ever.