Browning FN SA22 SA-22 22 Auto Grade I & Box 1965 Blue 19 1/4″ Takedown Semi-Auto Rifle .22 LR C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,075.00
LSB#: 180910GM07

Make: Made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium for Browning

Model: Browning Auto Rifle Grade 1

Serial Number: 5T30995

Year of Manufacture: 1965 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/22-semi-auto-rifle.html)

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. & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The left side of the barrel is marked “22 LONG RIFLE” and with Belgian proofs. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING’s PATENT”. The underside of the bolt is marked with a “Lion / PV” proof, a “* / M” inspection mark and a Peron tower prooof. There is also a Peron tower prooof at the top rear of the receiver. The bottom of the barrel is marked “5T30995”. The sides of the receiver and the trigger guard are scroll and border engraved.

Barrel Length: 19 1/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “U” notched leaf adustable for elevation and drift-adjustable for windage. The top of the receiver is grooved to accept scope mounts.

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. 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 forend tapers at the rear to match the outline of the receiver. The stocks have only a few scattered light compressions and handling marks. The checkering is well defined. 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 little wear with light thinning at the edges, in about Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Fine-plus overall 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 96% of its metal finish. The barrel and receiver have a few scattered light marks. The bolt has a few spots of light surface oxidation, most notable on the sides of the charging extension on the bottom. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel has slight play to the receiver. This play can be taken up by adjusting the ring at the rear of the barrel. 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: This rifle comes in a two-piece black cardboard Browning box with styrofoam insert. The label on the box has been removed. The box shows scattered wear, mostly in the edges and corners of the lid portion with some scattered scuffing in the faces, in about Good-Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: Browning first started making this rifle in 1914 as a top loader and changed it to a butt-fed tubular magazine in 1955. 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 1965 and chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It has a 19 1/4” barrel, blue finish, and scroll engraving on the receiver and trigger guard. This rifle is in about Very Good-Fine condition with a bright bore and sharp rifling. This vintage rifle could be used on for hunting small game and informal target practice, but with its nice condition, this rifle is going to gather a lot of interest from the Browning collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible rifle can be transferred in California.