Browning blr 243 magazine made by TRW
Hi. I have a browning blr 243 made by trw in ohio as a prototype rifle made in 1966..if anyone of the members can help me with info of obtaining a magazine for this rifle to make it complete it will be greatly appreciated...or any history of this rifle..i have #2 made of the prototype w/o a magazine...i was told by another member of GB that he has not found them to be made with a magazine??? any and all info will be greatly appeciated...thank you ZEKE
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I would suggest getting it lettered by Browning. Cost is a little less than 40 USD.
First produced by TRW @1966. 2-3 were sent to FN for proofing and one of those is a cutaway. SN range started at 6K01001. The sn was stamped on the barrel. Only 250 or so were ever made, even though enough parts for 750 were manufactured. The assembled rifles were destroyed in 1988. 25-50 were "liberated" by TRW employees.
The tolerances on the ones TRW assembled are different enough so that Browning parts won't interchange.0 -
Thank you for the info..i believe you may have prototype by Trw confused with the Browning change from Belgium to Mirokou Japan..my prototype was made in 1966 and I am sure Trw and its employyess were long out of the picture before 1988..some 20+ years later..my rifle is marked x02 on the reciever with barrle markings of "Made in Usa" on one side and Browning arms St. Louis Mo. on other...before their office was moved to Utah..any bodyelse with any info will be appreciated. thank you zeke 0 -
Zeke, if you can find a copy of Gun Digest 1992(46th edition) it has a GOOD article on BLRs.Pages 14 -20 by William G. Fohrman.And on page 17 he lists ser # 6K01002 as TRW production protoype "appears unfired". HTH . Eddie 0 -
Thank you legn4..again i think the prototype that uses such serial numberization is for the Brng Blr 81 that was introduced in the early 1980's...this is when browning went with flush mount magazine and lightweight reciever..my prototype is of 1966 ERA...almost twenty years prior to the 6Kooo sereialization...again thank you ZEKE 0 -
Md zeke, The article I referred to was about the "early TRW" Brownings. Also in the story is pic of Val Browning at work on the project. Dont get mixed up on the 6K010XX ser #s.Because when production started 1971 was XXXXK71 thur 1975 - XXXXK75 (maybe 1976 to).Then the double letter code RR= 1977 RN=1979 etc. My understanding was the "early TRW" guns were only # on the barrel only. No where else.HTH 0 -
md.zeke
I presume you're in the NE Ohio area, as I've seldom heard of one of the TRW guns making its way out of this area. I know of a couple of auctions in prior years, including one mega-lot of about 8 of these guns, but otherwise these seem to have stayed near their "home." A very nice one sold in an internet auction by Gunrunner a year or 2 ago. I was the 2nd-high bidder and the closing price was good, but not outrageous. Gunrunner is about 45 minutes east of Cleveland, and TRW was based in Cleveland's east side.
I own one in .308, s/n 6K0102(_) that's missing a couple of sight pieces and butt plate. It's a true TRW gun per its engraved "Made in U.S.A." and "Patent Pending." It's not marked as a prototype, per se, but none produced was meant to be sold. Stories are that the guns were `lunch box specials' that were taken out in pieces, and/or that when they announced the project was ending the boss intentionally left the shop for an hour during which time the inventory `vanished' (and the workers' car trunks became full). I got mine from the niece of a deceased local gun store owner, who likely took it in trade during the decades-long period of the store's existence. (I also adopted from her 2 Daisy VL presentation-grade caseless .22 rifles that are in their hard cases with all accessories, and one was never removed from its plastic bag.) When I bought the BLR the Blue Book said they were rare, but specifically also said they did not demand a premium (!?). That has since been changed, significantly.
I wish I could help you with the magazine, but instead I can only offer you my best wishes in tracking down one that will work.0 -
The one I picked up from an Indiana Distibutor going out of businees in 1996 was marked X09 on the right side of the Receiver. No serial number markings on the barrel.
I never intended to shooting it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by md.zeke
Thank you legn4..again i think the prototype that uses such serial numberization is for the Brng Blr 81 that was introduced in the early 1980's...this is when browning went with flush mount magazine and lightweight reciever..my prototype is of 1966 ERA...almost twenty years prior to the 6Kooo sereialization...again thank you ZEKE0 -
Here's in-depth info, cross-referencing an in-hand 1992 Gun Digest article, from the 2002 auction of 10 of these early 1960's TRW-produced rifles. 'Production' guns by TRW did use the 6K01(_ _ _) s/n series and should not be confused with later productions.
COLLECTION OF TEN US MADE BROWNING BLR RIFLES.In the early 1960's Browning began searching for a design for a rifle to compete with the Winchester Model 94, under the Browning name. They contracted with a brilliant firearms designer, named Karl Lewis, to design for Browning such a rifle. In a short period of time, Mr. Lewis had perfected his design and produced a prototype rifle with 19.5in round bbl, full magazine tube with a front band similar to a Winchester. It was designed with a flat side receiver and a loading gate in the bottom. The lever was 1-pc with integral trigger that moved with the lever. Mr Lewis designed a round 1-pc solid rotating bolt specifically for this rifle. This bolt became a subsequent bone of contention between Browning and Lewis when Lewis wanted the patent rights to it. Browning simply redesigned the bolt into a 2-pc system and gave Lewis a cash settlement. The rifle was redesigned during its testing stage and the original sample has a 1/4" spacer in placed at the rear of the ejection port. It also has other small modifications done to the right side of the receiver. Lewis' original design has a heavy machined forearm band that is not reminiscent of anything previously known. Browning contracted with the TRW Corp. of Cleveland, OH to continue with design and production of this rifle. Over a two year period that Browning and TRW were working to perfect this design, it is estimated that all together only approximately 250 "MADE IN USA" Browning lever action rifles were ever made, although there were pieces and parts for possibly up to 400 more, in various stages. Of these, only about 50 were ever delivered to Browning for inspection. Just 16 of them were accepted with the remaining 34 rejected. Four of them were sent to FN for testing and pattern use, and subsequently returned to Browning. Three were sent to the Browning Arnold, MO facility. Two of the 16 were presented to the Browning R & D Historical Library and two were disposed of. The nine remaining rifles, including the four FN test rifles and the original Lewis pattern rifle, along with tubular magazine, remained at the Utah Facility until 1981 when FN bought Browning. At that time, the 34 rejected rifles were returned to PRW for re-work or disposal. The 9 remaining rifles were subsequently sold to a local gun dealer who offered them for public sale, along with to the original Karl Lewis rifle. These 10 rifles represent the only known legal sales of "MADE IN USA" Browning lever action rifles, although TRW made a number of presentations to executives and several were apparently obtained VIA the "LUNCHBOX SPECIAL" method. This lot is accompanied by a 7-page article by William G. Fohrman from the 1992 "GUN DIGEST", giving great detail on the development and production of U.S. made Browning lever action rifles. 1) This rifle has an 8-5/16" long "H"-style checkered forearm, straight stock with checkered wrist and an unusual cast aluminum buttplate. It also has a 1/2" tack in the left side of the buttstock with the number "96" etched on it and it has a tiny sling swivel. There is the number "B7" stamped on the bottom of the receiver, just forward of the loading port and that may be the SN. The right side of the receiver has a black and silver Browning property tag No. 1892. CONDITION: Excellent. Metal retains 96 98% strong original blue with a couple of touched up modifications on the right side of the receiver. The wood is sound and retains most of its original finish on the forearm while the buttstock finish has alligatored. Bright shiny bore. 2) SN 6K01001. This is the first production sample made at TRW in Cleveland, OH. It is in Cal. 243 with 20" tapered round bbl, ramp front sight and standard Browning rear sight. It has a flat sided checkered forearm and straight stock with checkered wrist and Browning waffle pad. It also has the early 1st- style American magazine with checkered side panels, still in the white The right side of the bbl is marked with the SN, "MADE IN USA" and "PATENT PENDING". CONDITION: Excellent. Retains about all of its original factory finish to both metal and wood with only minor handling and storage nicks and scratches. 3) SN 6K1002. Cal. 243. This is the 2nd production sample produced at TRW and is identical to #2 above, with the same dimensions and configuration. It also has the 1st style magazine with checkered side panels and is blued. CONDITION: Excellent, plus. Retains about all its original factory finish to both metal and wood with only minor handling and storage nicks and scratches. 4). SN 6K01015. Cal. 243. This is a factory cut-away in the same configurations as #2 & #3 above with both sides cut away to expose the inner workings, probably not as a salesman display but as an engineering tool. The chamber is also cutaway and therefore, this is not to be considered a firearm. CONDITION: Excellent, as stated, retains most of its original factory finish with a cleaned area on the right side of the receiver and light freckling of rust on the left side. Fine wood with minor nicks and scratches. No magazine. 5) SN 6K01036. Cal. 308. Identical to #2 above with the same configuration. CONDITION: Appears to be new, unfired retaining about all its original factory finish to both metal and wood. Missing the magazine. 6) SN 6K01256. Cal. 243. Identical to #2 above with the same configuration. CONDITION: Appears to be new, unfired retaining all its original factory finish to both metal and wood. Missing the magazine. 7) SN 6K01633. Cal. 308. Reported as an Fabrique Nationale (FN) tooling pattern rifle identical to #2 above with Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver and bbl. It is apparently a rifle made at TRW and shipped to FN when Browning transferred the contract to them for production. CONDITION: As new, appears to be unfired retaining all its original factory finish to both metal and wood. 8) SN 6K02322. Cal. 243. Identical to #2 above with Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver and bbl. All the metal is completely in the white, never having been blued. This is another tooling pattern model sent to FN during the transition. CONDITION: Excellent. Probably unfired, retains most of its original bare metal finish. Fine wood with satin finish. 9 SN 6K02331. Cal. 308. FN tooling and test pattern rifle in the white. Apparently re-chambered and the bbl set back a slight turn with the number of strange holes drilled around the chamber area and another at the muzzle. CONDITION: Receiver is also in the white and is missing all of its internal parts. Wood is sound missing its buttplate, retains generous amounts of original varnish. 10) SN 6K02355. Cal. 243 Identical to #2 above, another tooling pattern model with Belgian proofs, in the white, missing the rear sight. CONDITION: Bbl does not quite align. Fine wood, retaining most of its original varnish. A rare opportunity to own a collection of some of the most rare of all Browning firearms. The following are remarks personally prepared by the current owner of these prototypes. "BROWNING LEVER ACTION PROTOTYPES Sale of prototype firearms by any developer or manufacturer is essentially a thing of the past. There are two major reasons. First is the liability the developer or manufacturer risks today in selling experimental merchandise, regardless of disclaimer. Second is the tax law that allows the developer to donate the item to a tax exempt organization or foundation, such as a museum, with associated write- off well in excess of what could be expected by a retail sale. What began as an unfortunate turn for Browning Arms Company in the early '80s in having to sell their company to FN of Herstal, Belgium, becomes a stroke of good fortune for one who chooses to purchase this collection. You are not only purchasing all of the "legal" BLR development rifles FN forced Browning Arms Company to sell, you are purchasing evidence of the thought processes, the talents and the personalities of the engineers and technicians that eventually brought this rifle to production. For example, you can clearly see the numerous modifications to the initial "Lewis" pattern rifle necessary to prove its function. There are five (5) variations to the lever locking system alone among the remaining rifles. If one looks closely, number of other variants can be observed. Two of the rifles were tested to near oblivion to ensure durability of this revolutionary new rack and pinion action. Action parts were no doubt removed for further study. You can imagine the thousands of rounds required to increase headspace to the point that the barrels had to be trimmed and rechambered only to be shot to headspace limits again. There is the "cutaway" that was not made for sales people, but rather as an engineering model to study the operation of the new action. There are those rifles bearing Belgian proof marks. Finally there are the unfired models that include serial numbers "1" and "2" (number "3" resides in the Browning Arms vault). Further details can be found in the article about this collection in the 1992 Gun Digest. An opportunity to purchase a prototype collection of this completeness and as well documented as this is quite improbable. Opportunity knocks only once. As the discerning owner of this outstanding and important prototype collection, it will arguably be one of the most unique and satisfying investments you may ever make." 4-471380 -
Zeke - they were made with a magazine. How do you know yours is #2? These were made at the TAPCO Plant on Euclid Ave. They were discontinued because of malfunctions. TRW said design was bad, Browning said manufacture was bad. Some did slip out when it was decided they would be destroyed. Some had previously been given to purchasing people at GE (Evandale) and at Pratt & Whitney (Hartford). The rifles were destroyed, I want to say between 76 and 83, based on my Dad's car at the time - he was an exec there. NIB, they came packed in cosmoline with one clip. Not sure about finding clips. I am always interested in buying. Formulaone 0
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