Help date a Belgium Browning

Mgderf

November 30, 2011 17:00

I believe my Browning is an older model, but it's serial # does not match the formats provided on the Browning website.

I have a Browning BAR in 30 06. It's barrel is marked, "Made in Belgium". It is not engraved.

Serial number fortmat is 54321M75.

The M is the proper letter, and is properly placed in the sequence.

Can anyone help me?
Thanks

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  rufe-snow

  November 30, 2011 17:30

  Made in 1975. "M" is the model identifier, i.e. BAR. 54321 is the actual serial number.
  
  The reversing of the serial number sequence wasn't total uncommon. I had a Browning .22 Challenger pistol made in 1969 with a similarly reversed serial number. There were a lot of anomalies with serialization during that time frame mid 60's/mid 70's, when Browning was transferring their production from Belgium to other countries.
  
  EDIT #1, U.S. Import law requires the country of origin to be marked on all manufactured goods imported into the U.S. If your BAR is marked Made in Belgium and dated 75, that's where it was made. 1975 must have been very close to the cut-off point, when Browning stopped most of their production in Belgium.

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  Mgderf

  November 30, 2011 17:44

  I was under the impression, obviously mistaken, that Browning quit making BARs in Belgium in the late '60's, but my "date code" is 75.
  
  Anyone know when they stopped making them in Belgium?

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  spas12

  November 30, 2011 21:56

  my bar is the same except it's a 71

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