1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari - The Firearms Forum

Meatco1 · 10-02-2006, 10:18 AM

Hello:

I have been left an old (1968) FN Browning "Safari", 270 cal. It has a period Redfield (made is USA) 3x9 scope mounted with Redfield rings. It does not have dreaded "Salt Wood" stock.

It is unfired, and in pristine condition.

I know the 2006 “Blue Book of Gun Values” lists this rifle at about $ 1000.00 value, but for that kind of $$, I’m thinking of turning it into a everyday hunter. Personally, I much prefer the old Mauser FN action, and know from experience the Browning will be a shooter.

Is there any good reason why I should keep this in it’s unfired condition, and not turn it into a perfectly good hunting rifle?

Thanks,

Richard

wonderwhippet · 10-02-2006, 11:00 AM

No reason not to use this rifle and enjoy it. It isn't a collector item, and if you just take reasonable care of it it will retain most of its valie.

Mark · 10-02-2006, 03:33 PM

Meatco, The salt wood you mention was on all Superposed, T-bolt .22's, and high power rifles made from 1967 to 1974. Browning made an effort to seal the inletting and the outside of these stocks, but salt is salt.
There is a good possibility the wood on your rifle has been replaced by Browning, under waranty, or is sealed with a stock finish in the inletting area to keep the rifle from rusting.

These are fine rifles, and quality wise will give many expensive custom rifles a real run for the money. My advice would be for you to use it and try to wear it out in your lifetime. I doubt if you will be able to put much wear on it even if you live to be a hundred. Take care of it, and just keep an eye out for rusting particularly where the wood contacts the steel.
Mark

MRMIKE08075 · 10-02-2006, 04:02 PM

Browning collectors will pay a premium of as much as 25% over Blue Book value for NIB / UNFIRED / minty vintage examples...

you might get more for it than you expect...

best regards, mike.

southernshooter · 10-02-2006, 09:51 PM

I might keep something like that long enough to sell it and buy a couple hunters

MRMIKE08075 · 10-03-2006, 12:12 PM

i bought my Mom a:
BABY BROWNING FACTORY LIGHTWIEGHT .25 acp
silver-nickel plated
mother of pearl grips
gold trigger
2-pc red and white hinged bakalite box
factory leather zippered gun case

i paid $325.00...

i thought it was a wee bit steep, but the gun was NIB / UNFIRED

turned out that Browning fans pay a lot of money for NIB / UNFIRED guns...

selling it high, and buying some toys with the profits sounds right...

best regards, mike.

Meatco1 · 10-03-2006, 01:38 PM

Thank you all, I appreciate the input.

Although I believe the Safari will appreciate more, the futher down the road it goes unfired, I do not think I could buy a better rifle right, for the $1000.00 - $1200.00 it is worth. And frankly, I have no real desire to sell something left to me by a good friend.

Consequently, I will most likely turn this rifle into one of my favored hunters.

Again, thanks for all the feedback.

Richard

10-02-2006, 10:18 AM	#1
Meatco1 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 10	1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari Hello: I have been left an old (1968) FN Browning "Safari", 270 cal. It has a period Redfield (made is USA) 3x9 scope mounted with Redfield rings. It does not have dreaded "Salt Wood" stock. It is unfired, and in pristine condition. I know the 2006 “Blue Book of Gun Values” lists this rifle at about $ 1000.00 value, but for that kind of $$, I’m thinking of turning it into a everyday hunter. Personally, I much prefer the old Mauser FN action, and know from experience the Browning will be a shooter. Is there any good reason why I should keep this in it’s unfired condition, and not turn it into a perfectly good hunting rifle? Thanks, Richard __________________ Cat, the other white meat! --> Last edited by Meatco1; 10-02-2006 at 10:19 AM.. Reason: Typing error!

10-02-2006, 11:00 AM	#2
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,586	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari No reason not to use this rifle and enjoy it. It isn't a collector item, and if you just take reasonable care of it it will retain most of its valie.

10-02-2006, 03:33 PM	#3
Mark V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 314	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari Meatco, The salt wood you mention was on all Superposed, T-bolt .22's, and high power rifles made from 1967 to 1974. Browning made an effort to seal the inletting and the outside of these stocks, but salt is salt. There is a good possibility the wood on your rifle has been replaced by Browning, under waranty, or is sealed with a stock finish in the inletting area to keep the rifle from rusting. These are fine rifles, and quality wise will give many expensive custom rifles a real run for the money. My advice would be for you to use it and try to wear it out in your lifetime. I doubt if you will be able to put much wear on it even if you live to be a hundred. Take care of it, and just keep an eye out for rusting particularly where the wood contacts the steel. Mark

10-02-2006, 04:02 PM	#4
MRMIKE08075 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 384	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari Browning collectors will pay a premium of as much as 25% over Blue Book value for NIB / UNFIRED / minty vintage examples... you might get more for it than you expect... best regards, mike.

10-02-2006, 09:51 PM	#5
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari I might keep something like that long enough to sell it and buy a couple hunters __________________ Only you can see this

10-03-2006, 12:12 PM	#6
MRMIKE08075 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 384	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari i bought my Mom a: BABY BROWNING FACTORY LIGHTWIEGHT .25 acp silver-nickel plated mother of pearl grips gold trigger 2-pc red and white hinged bakalite box factory leather zippered gun case i paid $325.00... i thought it was a wee bit steep, but the gun was NIB / UNFIRED turned out that Browning fans pay a lot of money for NIB / UNFIRED guns... selling it high, and buying some toys with the profits sounds right... best regards, mike.

10-03-2006, 01:38 PM	#7
Meatco1 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 10	Re: 1968 Unfired FN Browning Safari Thank you all, I appreciate the input. Although I believe the Safari will appreciate more, the futher down the road it goes unfired, I do not think I could buy a better rifle right, for the $1000.00 - $1200.00 it is worth. And frankly, I have no real desire to sell something left to me by a good friend. Consequently, I will most likely turn this rifle into one of my favored hunters. Again, thanks for all the feedback. Richard __________________ Cat, the other white meat!