Browning .22 Auto Rifle Date of Manufacture?

TWalker

I have what I believe is an early Browning .22 auto rifle. The serial number prefix is A7. I looked it up on some internet sites but am still uncertain when it was made. Late 50's or early 60's is the best I can tell.
Any help is appreciated.

CapnMidnight

The A should mean it is chambered for 22 shorts only, the 7 denotes the year 1967.
W.D.

TWalker

I read that the "A" prefix meaning .22 short only chambering, changed in 1961 to an "E" prefix, so wouldn't the DOM be 1961 or earlier? The complete serial number is A7 364.

Dokey

Where is the number located, is it on the bottom of the barrel in front of the forearm?

TWalker

The serial number is located on a flat metal ring surrounding the hole where the magazine tube is inserted.

kimi

According to Homer C. Tyler, author of the book on these rifles the letter A prefix would ordinarily precede rifles chambered in short caliber, but some inconsistency was found with one for a Grade I Long Rifle with the number A77xx.

Your rifle is probably in short caliber, right? What kind of rear sight does it have?

Add: The prefix A for Shorts & T for Long Rifle were used for the first five years with about 12000 Shorts being produced, so it would appear by this information that your rifle would have been manufactured within this time frame.

TWalker

Yes it's a 22 short, wheel sight, 22 inch barrel.