Belgium Browning serial #

PaulyP · May 18, 2013, 11:59 AM

I have a Browning in 270 cal. The serial # is L11430. I can't seem to locate the DOM for this rifle. Has to be in the mid 60's. No noticable rusting anywhere where wood meets steel. I can't seem to locate an exploded view of the rifle anywhere either! So, if you can help, I would appreciate it. Thanks !

Paul B. · May 18, 2013, 05:26 PM

I can send you an explded view of a J.C. Higgins M50 which is basically a less expensive version of your rifle. The main differences would be the trigger and bol release. I have several rifles in the .50 and other than a different stock, barrel shape etc., they're the same gun without frills.

http://www.histandard.info/manuals/s.../1083D150R.pdf

If the link doesn't work, I can copy it and mail you the copy. Can't help you on th DOM.
Paul B.

PaulyP · May 19, 2013, 06:09 AM

Thanks Paul !
I did not know that the J.C.H. was of the same family. I wanted to be sure if I disassembled the bolt, I had something to look at in case of a senior moment! The 5 digit S# is still throwing me off, but someone will sooner or later point me in the right direction. Thanks !!!

PetahW · May 19, 2013, 09:14 AM

.

AFAIK, the DOM = 1971

.

PaulyP · May 19, 2013, 10:57 AM

I thought I read that after '68, the year was stamped before the letter - Did I miss-read something? The "number" is present on the bolt, the stock and on the barrel.

cvc944 · May 19, 2013, 05:57 PM

It is a rather odd serial number. Seems to me like it is missing a numeral as the first digit to indicate the year. From 1959 to 1968 - The last digit of the year was used.

Example: Serial number 9L12345

9 would be the year of manufacture (either 1959 or 1969)
L would stand for the long action, the FN action
12345 would be the serial number

PaulyP · May 19, 2013, 07:22 PM

I'm glad that someone else with more wisdom than I, finds the "L" serial number a source of interest ! Now I don't feel so dumb !!! I seperated the action from stock again, just to make sure I didn't miss something .... and the same # is stamped on the receiver, but down low under the wood line of the stock. Everything matches - bolt, receiver, barrel - so, what's the definitive answer?
I want to believe that it was made sometime in 1966 - but - I can't find anything solid to support this.
The date isn't that important, I really like the rifle Everything that I have looked at, appears to be OK !- I have to get out to the club and send something down the pipe just to see if what I think will happen, happens.
TIA for any thing that anyone can come up with on this. I'm stumped !

PaulyP · May 23, 2013, 04:38 PM

Give an old man a break here - 409 views - No other insights !

Here's a link with more pictures.

http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/PaulyP1698/slideshow/

PaulyP · July 20, 2013, 06:16 PM

Just an FYI !
I've been searching thru any of the sites with gun auctions/sales looking for any Belgium Browning Safari's listed.
Out of all of the serial numbers I have been able to read, I've seen the following;
There were 17 readable serial #"s for 1959 as the year reported manufactured.
All began with L before the number. (L XXXX)
Numbers ran from L 1306 to L 9613.
Did not find anything with a 1960 date.
From 1961 thru 1968 the serial numbers all began with the number of last digit of the year, then the "L", then the serial number. (1L XXXX)
In 1969 the serial # came first, then the letter (L) then the year of manufacture.
(XXXXX L69)
Althought I did find a few 9L XXXXX numbers stated as made in '69.
The (XXXXX L year) designation continued on thru 1974.
-There is definetely something going on with the '59 numbers!

Would love to know what the last serial number for 1959 was, just for my own gratification !

RJay · July 20, 2013, 06:30 PM

The Sears gun was a FN Action and a High Standard Barrel and also stocked by High Standard.

old roper · July 20, 2013, 07:06 PM

this might help

http://proofhouse.com/browning/index.html

PaulyP · July 21, 2013, 07:38 AM

Here's another site (NRA Museum)- Shows a listing of serial numbers used by Browning.

http://www.nramuseum.org/media/94094...anufacture.pdf

BOLT ACTION RIFLES
(Safari, Medallion, & Olympian Models)
YEAR SER . # CODE
1959 - N/A
1962 No prefix (numeral-letter) before Ser. No.
(i.e., only digits)
1963 3-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1964 4-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1965 5-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1966 6-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1967 7-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1968 8-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No.
1969 Single letter (Y, Z, or L) followed by
last 2 digits of year of mfg. Prefix only.
1970 “Y70" prefix
1971 “L71" prefix
1972 “Z72" prefix
1973 “Y73" prefix
1974 “Z74" prefix
1975 “L75" prefix

old roper · July 21, 2013, 05:33 PM

It was my understanding that the Browning Safari rifles with Sako action were serial # by Sako. Medallion, & Olympian Models were only offered on the FN actions.

PaulyP · July 21, 2013, 08:16 PM

Well, I can only go by what I've dug up and read on different sites, but .... to the best of my knowledge -
The Browning Safari's that were made with the long extractor are the FN actions.
If this isn't correct, I would hope someone can direct me to the information showing me otherwise.
There was a load of information on the Alaska Outdoors forum site.
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/...m-action/page2

PaulyP

More here: (source NRA-ILA "GUN-TALK" BBS) http://sportingarms.freeservers.com/...g_history.html
A lot of information on Browning. Enough to confuse the best of us !

old roper · July 21, 2013, 10:36 PM

I really never much paid attention to the FN Mauser Browning used, I did handle few new ones along with Medallion & Olympian Models off and on from mid 60's to early 70's. I did buy new Browning Safari on a Sako action in 243 with 4 digit serial number got it 48yrs ago at Siegel's, Oakland Ca.

PaulyP · July 22, 2013, 04:17 PM

If I read my notes correctly - a browning "made in Finland" was a sako action, and those rifles that were stamped "made in Belgium" were fn actions.
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong !

Another area of information in my notes: From the African Hunting Gazette site.

http://africanhuntinggazette.com/ind...d=68&Itemid=25

A very nice article on the Browning actions.

I wish the browning was as easy to pin down as the parker hale was. Remarkable that I can find loads of old advertizements and information on thr PK's and not near as much on the Brownings. ... And all of them made off shore.

P

Have a Good one - Don't do anything dumb !!!

jaysouth · July 25, 2013, 09:38 PM

Record keeping at FN is more a Gallic art than a Germanic science.

PaulyP · July 26, 2013, 05:31 PM

LOL !

I don't think i have ever heard it put better !

p

PaulyP · July 27, 2013, 06:51 PM

From the Browning Owners site, where I had posed the same Serial number question:

Answer:

" Your Safari Grade was actually made in late 1961. Browning had not yet went to the year code with the Safari i.e. until sometime between your number L 11420 and serial number 2 L 11856 (.308 small ring). Serial number L 11557 is the last serial number I show for 1961 made Safari Grades (so far).

Side note: The Medallion and Olympian Grades all had the year code prefix in 1961 as 1 X and you couldn't tell the model you had, Medallion or Olympian, by the serial number because both had X as the prefix. Browning/FN changed that in 1962. Hope this helps. "

www.BrowningCollector.com

I had believed that the rifle was an early model, but wanted some indication other than jus what I had believed.

And BTW - Man ! Does this thing shoot !
This isn't a safe queen - It will get used !
Thanks to all for any help !

PaulyP

...... Don't do anything dumb !!!

May 18, 2013, 05:26 PM	#2
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	I can send you an explded view of a J.C. Higgins M50 which is basically a less expensive version of your rifle. The main differences would be the trigger and bol release. I have several rifles in the .50 and other than a different stock, barrel shape etc., they're the same gun without frills. http://www.histandard.info/manuals/s.../1083D150R.pdf If the link doesn't work, I can copy it and mail you the copy. Can't help you on th DOM. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

May 19, 2013, 06:09 AM	#3
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	the enlightning continues Thanks Paul ! I did not know that the J.C.H. was of the same family. I wanted to be sure if I disassembled the bolt, I had something to look at in case of a senior moment! The 5 digit S# is still throwing me off, but someone will sooner or later point me in the right direction. Thanks !!!

July 20, 2013, 06:16 PM	#9
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	More information: Just an FYI ! I've been searching thru any of the sites with gun auctions/sales looking for any Belgium Browning Safari's listed. Out of all of the serial numbers I have been able to read, I've seen the following; There were 17 readable serial #"s for 1959 as the year reported manufactured. All began with L before the number. (L XXXX) Numbers ran from L 1306 to L 9613. Did not find anything with a 1960 date. From 1961 thru 1968 the serial numbers all began with the number of last digit of the year, then the "L", then the serial number. (1L XXXX) In 1969 the serial # came first, then the letter (L) then the year of manufacture. (XXXXX L69) Althought I did find a few 9L XXXXX numbers stated as made in '69. The (XXXXX L year) designation continued on thru 1974. -There is definetely something going on with the '59 numbers! Would love to know what the last serial number for 1959 was, just for my own gratification !

July 20, 2013, 06:30 PM	#10
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	The Sears gun was a FN Action and a High Standard Barrel and also stocked by High Standard. __________________ Ron James

July 20, 2013, 07:06 PM	#11
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	this might help http://proofhouse.com/browning/index.html __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

May 19, 2013, 09:14 AM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. AFAIK, the DOM = 1971 .

May 19, 2013, 05:57 PM	#6
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	It is a rather odd serial number. Seems to me like it is missing a numeral as the first digit to indicate the year. From 1959 to 1968 - The last digit of the year was used. Example: Serial number 9L12345 9 would be the year of manufacture (either 1959 or 1969) L would stand for the long action, the FN action 12345 would be the serial number

May 19, 2013, 07:22 PM	#7
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	I'm glad that someone else with more wisdom than I, finds the "L" serial number a source of interest ! Now I don't feel so dumb !!! I seperated the action from stock again, just to make sure I didn't miss something .... and the same # is stamped on the receiver, but down low under the wood line of the stock. Everything matches - bolt, receiver, barrel - so, what's the definitive answer? I want to believe that it was made sometime in 1966 - but - I can't find anything solid to support this. The date isn't that important, I really like the rifle Everything that I have looked at, appears to be OK !- I have to get out to the club and send something down the pipe just to see if what I think will happen, happens. TIA for any thing that anyone can come up with on this. I'm stumped !

May 23, 2013, 04:38 PM	#8
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	Give an old man a break here - 409 views - No other insights ! Here's a link with more pictures. http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/PaulyP1698/slideshow/

July 21, 2013, 07:38 AM	#12
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	more info Here's another site (NRA Museum)- Shows a listing of serial numbers used by Browning. http://www.nramuseum.org/media/94094...anufacture.pdf BOLT ACTION RIFLES (Safari, Medallion, & Olympian Models) YEAR SER . # CODE 1959 - N/A 1962 No prefix (numeral-letter) before Ser. No. (i.e., only digits) 1963 3-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1964 4-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1965 5-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1966 6-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1967 7-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1968 8-single letter prefix or suffix by Ser. No. 1969 Single letter (Y, Z, or L) followed by last 2 digits of year of mfg. Prefix only. 1970 “Y70" prefix 1971 “L71" prefix 1972 “Z72" prefix 1973 “Y73" prefix 1974 “Z74" prefix 1975 “L75" prefix Last edited by PaulyP; July 21, 2013 at 12:36 PM.

July 21, 2013, 05:33 PM	#13
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	It was my understanding that the Browning Safari rifles with Sako action were serial # by Sako. Medallion, & Olympian Models were only offered on the FN actions. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

July 21, 2013, 08:16 PM	#14
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	Browning Belgium Safari actions Well, I can only go by what I've dug up and read on different sites, but .... to the best of my knowledge - The Browning Safari's that were made with the long extractor are the FN actions. If this isn't correct, I would hope someone can direct me to the information showing me otherwise. There was a load of information on the Alaska Outdoors forum site. http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/...m-action/page2 PaulyP More here: (source NRA-ILA "GUN-TALK" BBS) http://sportingarms.freeservers.com/...g_history.html A lot of information on Browning. Enough to confuse the best of us ! Last edited by PaulyP; July 21, 2013 at 09:36 PM.

July 21, 2013, 10:36 PM	#15
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	I really never much paid attention to the FN Mauser Browning used, I did handle few new ones along with Medallion & Olympian Models off and on from mid 60's to early 70's. I did buy new Browning Safari on a Sako action in 243 with 4 digit serial number got it 48yrs ago at Siegel's, Oakland Ca. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

July 22, 2013, 04:17 PM	#16
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	If I read my notes correctly - a browning "made in Finland" was a sako action, and those rifles that were stamped "made in Belgium" were fn actions. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong ! Another area of information in my notes: From the African Hunting Gazette site. http://africanhuntinggazette.com/ind...d=68&Itemid=25 A very nice article on the Browning actions. I wish the browning was as easy to pin down as the parker hale was. Remarkable that I can find loads of old advertizements and information on thr PK's and not near as much on the Brownings. ... And all of them made off shore. P Have a Good one - Don't do anything dumb !!! Last edited by PaulyP; July 22, 2013 at 04:39 PM.

July 25, 2013, 09:38 PM	#17
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	Record keeping at FN is more a Gallic art than a Germanic science.

July 26, 2013, 05:31 PM	#18
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	LOL ! I don't think i have ever heard it put better ! p

July 27, 2013, 06:51 PM	#19
PaulyP Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 11	Finally an answer From the Browning Owners site, where I had posed the same Serial number question: Answer: " Your Safari Grade was actually made in late 1961. Browning had not yet went to the year code with the Safari i.e. until sometime between your number L 11420 and serial number 2 L 11856 (.308 small ring). Serial number L 11557 is the last serial number I show for 1961 made Safari Grades (so far). Side note: The Medallion and Olympian Grades all had the year code prefix in 1961 as 1 X and you couldn't tell the model you had, Medallion or Olympian, by the serial number because both had X as the prefix. Browning/FN changed that in 1962. Hope this helps. " www.BrowningCollector.com I had believed that the rifle was an early model, but wanted some indication other than jus what I had believed. And BTW - Man ! Does this thing shoot ! This isn't a safe queen - It will get used ! Thanks to all for any help ! PaulyP ...... Don't do anything dumb !!!