BL-22: Need help dating

[RossCA]

Hi guys, I'm looking for some help dating my rifle. I went on the Browning website and for some reason it doesn't seem like I can get a manufacturing date from my serial number using their chart. Also, the owner manual sais the serial number should be on the right side above the lever, but its on the bottom. At least I think that's the serial number. Any idea why its located there? Here's some pictures.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo298/RossCA_2008/IMG_8391.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo298/RossCA_2008/IMG_8385.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo298/RossCA_2008/IMG_8389.jpg

Here's the link to the dating chart on the Browning website.

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=21

My dad recently gave me this rifle. I know he's had it since the mid 80's. Thanks for any help.

[alex0535]

I don't know how old it is, but its a beautiful rifle you have there. The wood is really nice.

[RossCA]

Thanks a lot! I was real happy to get it from my dad. He had been promising to give it to me since I was little.

[DealHunter]

I've a similar one with the SN on the bottom and that was made (my understanding at least) between 1970 and 1975; afterwards they switched to SN on the side and the 1st year in the late 60s had some other differences that set it them apart as well.

Today they call them the grade II but at the time it was called the "deluxe" model.

Yes, the wood on the old "fancy" Brownings is very nice :-)

[PetahW]

I believe your Grade I rifle to have been made in 1972 ("72B")

The BL-22's were introduced in 1969, IIRC.




.

[RossCA]

Thanks for the help, guys! That would be really cool if it was a 1972 model or any time between 70-75.

[az_imuth]

PetahW is correct... a grade 1 rifle from 1972, and a nice looking one at that.

[RossCA]

Thanks a lot for the confirmation. That's the same year I was born.

[Wild-Bill]

Grade I can be a brand new BL-22. I just bought one in March.
The difference in Grades is the II has the checkered stock and a gold trigger. The finish of the stock and receiver on mine is excellent. A nice rifle.

[RossCA]

Yeah, I like both.