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Browning 22 Rifle Date of Manufacture

nola990nola990 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited November 2004 in Ask the Experts
Gentlemen: This past weekend I purchased two Browning 22 Rifles of Japanese Manufacture at an estate sale. I am trying to date one of them and the serial number makes no sense according to the Browning serial number date code. The first is serial number 01176PM146, which dates it to 1980. But the second serial number is 30865T47 and this number does not correspond to the Browning dating code for Japanese rifles. Can anyone out there offer any help? Thanks, Chuck!
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Comments

  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    auto, pump, lever, or bolt?

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
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  • nola990nola990 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi, Thanks for the quick reply. It's an auto and the overall length is only 36 15/16" with an 18 3/4" barrel. Another puzzle is that the stock appears to be at least a grade II, but the gun is a Grade I.

    PS; Thanks for defending our country!
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  • Spring CreekSpring Creek Member Posts: 1,260 ✭
    edited November -1
    Your "T" (Long Rifle)"47" was made in "74" as in 1974.
    First "full year" of Japanese production of the Browning 22 take down.
    Some date codes, following the model letter "T" in this case were,
    74 for 1974 and 47 (reversed) but still for 1974.
    Why? Nobody can answer it, one of the other "quirks" of the hobby.
    Fun though!

    You can lead a "Liberal" to "Knowledge", but you can't make him
    "Think"!



    NRA Benefactor Life Member
    Browning Collectors Association
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  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    japanese is read right to left.[;)]
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
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  • nola990nola990 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!
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