Browning BLR Belgian .308 Win. 20” Lever Action Rifle MFD 1972 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,250.00
LSB#: LSB251027RL011
Make: Browning
Model: BLR Lever Action
Serial Number: 38913K72
Year of Manufacture: 1972 (
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Magazine-Fed Lever-Action Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM” The right side of the barrel is marked “MODEL 81 BLR CALIBER .308 ONLY Patent No 3377731”. The underside of the receiver is marked “38913K72”. The buttpad is marked, “BROWNING”. Just in front of the mag release is marked with a Belgian proofmark.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass beaded blade dovetailed into a ramped base that is screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch screwed to the barrel. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope base.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is two-piece gloss wood with checkered straight grip and forend, straight comb, and rubber buttpad. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttpad. The stock has been refinished. There is finish in the checkering. There are nicks, scratches, and handling marks throughout. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition for a refinish.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is one notable spot of corrosion pitting about halfway down the bore. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some light fouling present in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are scattered freckles of bluing loss from corrosion. The barrel has turned somewhat plum over time. There are light scratches and handling marks on the receiver. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are lightly tooled, but retain strong and serviceable slots. The pins are unmarred. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the half-cock safety. We have not fired this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle comes with its factory 4 Round Magazine in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Belgian-made Browning BLR from 1972 represents an important chapter in the evolution of modern lever-action sporting rifles, combining traditional lever handling with contemporary rifle engineering. Introduced in the late 1960s, the BLR departed sharply from tubular-magazine lever guns by utilizing a detachable box magazine and a rotating bolt system, allowing it to safely chamber high-pressure, spitzer-bullet cartridges. Produced in Belgium during the early years of BLR manufacture, rifles from this period are particularly well regarded for their machining quality and overall fit and finish, reflecting Browning’s commitment to premium sporting arms.
Chambered in .308 Winchester and fitted with a 20 inch barrel, this rifle is well matched to one of the most versatile and widely respected sporting cartridges of the postwar era. The .308 Winchester earned its reputation through efficient ballistics, excellent inherent accuracy, and broad applicability across North American game, making it a natural pairing for the BLR’s strong, box-magazine-fed action. The bright bore with sharp rifling supports continued mechanical soundness, though the noted isolated area of pitting and light fouling reflect use and age rather than neglect. Factory iron sights remain intact, and the drilled and tapped receiver allows easy adaptation to optical sights without compromising the rifle’s clean lines.
Overall, this example presents in good condition, retaining approximately 95 percent of its original blued finish with scattered freckling, light handling marks, and a barrel that has taken on a characteristic plum hue over time. The refinished gloss wood stocks show finish buildup in the checkering but remain structurally sound and visually appealing, consistent with a careful refinish rather than heavy restoration. Mechanically correct and complete with its factory four-round magazine, this BLR stands as a solid early example of Browning’s modern lever-action concept, illustrating how Browning Arms Company successfully blended classic handling with modern cartridge capability. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
