Browning Belgium BAR High Power .300 Win. mag 24″ Semi-Auto Rifle, 1980
SOLD FOR: $1,010.00
LSB#: LSB260618MR017
Make: Browning; Made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal
Model: BAR High Power
Serial Number: 137PM09788
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (PM Date Code) / Modern
Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, fed by Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM – ASSEMBLED – PORTUGAL”, along with a couple Belgian proof marks. The right side of the barrel is marked “BAR CALIBER .300 Win. Mag. ONLY / BROWNING PATENTS”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number, which also includes the “PM” date code, and the “137” model designation.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The iron sights have been removed. The top of the receiver is mounted with a two-piece base for optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece, checkered, gloss-finished walnut stock set, with a semi-pistol grip, straight comb, black rubber Browning buttpad, and sling studs front and rear. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks show light wear, with a few light scratches, compressions, and dings scattered throughout, with a few light dings in the checkering on the forend. The checkering is otherwise well defined. The gloss finish is largely intact. The stocks fit tightly to the frame, with no play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Good to Very Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 3rd factory magazine, in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with light scratches and minor dings scattered throughout the metal surfaces. There is light thinning of the finish around where the iron sights used to sit. The right and left sides of the receiver show minor to light pitting. Otherwise, the bluing is largely intact. There is operational wear on the bolt. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the safety. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the magazine and the scope base as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: The Browning BAR High Power is one of the classic European-produced sporting autoloaders, combining Belgian manufacture with Portuguese assembly and a gas-operated action designed for full-power hunting cartridges. Chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum with a 24″ barrel, this 1980 example offers substantial power for elk, moose, and other large game while providing the quick follow-up capability of a semi-automatic action. Its checkered gloss-finished walnut furniture and traditional Browning styling give it the appearance expected of the earlier BAR High Power sporting rifles.
This rifle is in Good to Very Good condition overall, retaining about 90% of its original blue finish with scattered light scratches and dings, operational wear on the bolt, finish thinning where the factory iron sights were removed, and minor to light pitting on both sides of the receiver. The checkered walnut stocks also rate in Good to Very Good condition with scattered scratches, compressions, and dings, but no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 10/10, while the action and safety function correctly. It includes a Very Good condition factory 3-round magazine and the installed two-piece scope base. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – J.D.