Guys,

Look at the rifle in this auction if you wouldn't mind.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=5683120

This has piqued my interest, however, I am not much of an expert when it comes to these, and was hopingto get some input from the "experts" that lurk here.

I am thinking that the barrel is not original as it does not appear to have sights. May also explain the refinishing. Any thoughts as to originality?

The safety also has me wondering. Very clearly can see that it has a side safety. You think that is original?

Whatcha think about that stock? Also does not look original to my untrained eyes. Particluarly the forend tip and general "thickness" of it.

Regardless, I think it might make a nice working rifle, if it shoots that is.

Thanks!

Bob

BlackBart, it appears to me that it is far from orignal but the Robar finish costs more than what the bid is.

Looking at that safety, I'd have to say that's not an FN Sporter. Not to mention the black fore end tip, and the checkering pattern. It's hard to get a good look at the safety, but it looks more 'Santa Barbara' than FN.



I've also never seen an FN serial number that started with a "B". All the FN Sporters I've seen used just numbers, while the Browning ones were often stuff like "2L..."

Probably an FN Supreme. The bottom metal is like what's on Supremes and Browning FNs, the side safety is also like some Browning FNs, but also similar to the safety on Santa Barbaras. Santa Barbaras have different bottom metal: pot metal with inside bow release like 09 Argentine or early Mark X. The stock is a custom stock, not FN. Call the seller and ask if it has the FN cartouche on the bolt handle or the receiver ring (a standing lion on top of PV). If it is an FN, you should buy it, good price so far.

My FN (early 50's) has safety on the cocking piece, Bolt swept back more, bolt handle is flat & checkered on the bottom, stock shape quite different. Magazine release & bolt shroud look FN but the safety is more like Santa Barbara.

Thanks guys! I will call them tomorrow and report back with what I find if you are curious. I'm sure the price will escalate as the hour approaches, but one never knows.

BB

Well I spoke to a guy there and found out a bit more.

The barrel is stamped "FN made in belgium, Chrome vanadium.." Also, the barrel is stamped with the same serial # as the action, and has the FN proof marks.

Very interesting as, although I am no expert, I do not recall seeing one of these without sights on the barrel, and the barrel is by all accounts original.

The serial is B250#, can anybody date that, or tell who it was made for?

They agree that the stock is probably not original, but know nothing about it. Been wondering if it was possibly a "salty" browning that got a new stock and new finish, but they all have open sights too, right?

In general, seemed very pleasant and helpful, they just simply do not have much background on this rifle.

Based on that, I am more than a little suspicious about this rifle. However, I keep thinking that somebody dropped $300 to refinish it, so they must have thought it was worth it?!
BB

The distributors for FN (Firearms International, Tradewinds, Flaigs, others) sold complete FN factory rifes (similar to Browning Safaris), actions and barreled actions, depending on what you wanted. Most likely this is a semicustom job, a custom stock barreled with an FN Supreme (400) barreled action- thus the matching serial numbers. Some had sights, some didn't, and they came in 2 different barrel contours, the earlier ones made on early Deluxe actions were heavier, stepped similar to military configuration. I doubt if it was made up from a Sears or Montgomery Wards rifle, those were made with High Standard barrels, not matching number FN barrels. The FN Supreme or 400 series (adjustable trigger, streamlined bolt sleave, side safety), was introduced around 1957. The earlier FN Deluxe was made from 1947-late 50's. See pages 171-178 "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank De Haas for more details. The current bid on this rifle is low.

Good detective work to sort that out. The photos make it hard to real see the detail.
By the way. What would the value of a Salty Browning be in .270 caliber? It is stamped "Made in Belgium" and looks very solid. Just curious.
Thanks Frank

What exactly is a "salty" Browning?

Floyd Green, owner of The Outdoorsman is a very stand-up guy. So is Larry Wiggins, his major domo. I have known and dealt with them for over 20 years. Used to help Floyd out with prices (buying and selling) when he started the place in 1982 (he was about 20 years old), and I was up the street a couple of blocks selling machine guns and other stuff.



I suspect Floyd might give you the customary return period if you asked him for it prior to bidding.



I'd have no fear whatsoever dealing with him. He is a wheeler-dealer par excellance, whether dealing in guns, cars, houses, trailers, boats, aeroplanes or whatever. He is very sharp in his deals, so you gotta be precise in what you expect/will give, but once a deal is struck, his word is as good as gold...some of which, along with a Rolex watch or two, I've also bought from him on occasion.



AC

That gun was produced in the mid 80s using FN actions and sold through retail stores. We had one of those stores in Twin Falls, I think it was Pennywise, and our sheriffs dept bought a number of those nice Mausers for the swat team. It also was produced in Manlicher form, they are very nice rifles...I am thinking they were Marketed under the name of Harrington and Richards, I am pretty sure that is correct.

M1 Tanker,
salt wood Brownings are Browning Rifles and shotguns made in a certain year that had European wood that was improperly cured using salt water in the process...the salt leaks out and destroys the metal in those guns...It is always a good idea to pull a browning out of the stock and check the metal under the wood line. You will know immediatly by the pitting...