Browning FN SA-22 .22 LR Thumbwheel Sight Semi-Auto Rifle, MFD 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,036
LSB#: 191002KF04
Make: Made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium for Browning
Model: Semi-Auto Rifle Grade 1
Serial Number: T22200
Year of Manufacture: 1957
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: This is a semi-automatic rifle with a tubular magazine in the butt. It is a takedown model with a removable barrel.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST. LOUIS Mo. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The left side of the barrel is marked “22 LONG RIFLE”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING PATENTS”. The underside of the bolt is marked with a Belgian proof marks with another at the top rear of the receiver. The front face of the receiver is marked “T 22200” and the front face of the trigger guard assembly is marked “T” and “2200”. The sides of the receiver and the bottom of the trigger guard are scroll and border engraved. The buttplate is marked “22200” found again hand-marked in red on the rear face of the buttstock under the buttplate.
Barrel Length: 19 1/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notched sight adustable for elevation using a four-position thumbwheel on the right side. The top of the receiver is grooved to accept scope mounts (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and serrated blued steel buttplate. The buttplate has a hole in the center for access to the magazine rod, typically we have seen a separate plate inside the depression for the magazin rod, but no such plate is present. There is also a groove in the right side of the buttstock for loading shells into the magazine without completely withdrawing the magazine tube. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has very minor wear at the heel and toe with sharp serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The bolt has light operational wear, but otherwise the rifle shows only a few minor marks, the most notable a tiny nick on the top-front of the receiver. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. It has a cross-bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Browning first started making this rifle in 1914, FN manufactured the rifle through 1974, after which it was made by Miroku of Japan. The earlier rifles were made in three grades, with Miroku adding two more. This is a Grade 1 rifle made by FN in 1957, chambered in .22 Long Rifle and with the early-style thumbwheel rear sight. It has a 19 1/4” barrel, blue finish, and scroll engraving on the receiver and trigger guard. This rifle is in about Excellent condition with little sign of use, a bright bore, and sharp rifling, appearing as though it has spent the last 62 years just being stored properly and maybe taken out for a few rounds every 10 years or so. This vintage rifle could be used on for hunting small game and informal target practice, but older 22 Autos such as this with the early rear sight gather a lot of interest from the Browning collectors, especially one in this high condition. Please see our photos and good luck!
