Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle - The Firearms Forum

hey now · 01-15-2009, 07:59 PM

Hi,
My husband has a 1966 (I believe) Browning 22 Long Rifle. Info as follows:

Serial No. 6T48342
Browning Arms Co. St. Louis Mo. & Montreal P.Q. made in Belgium

In OK condition - please see pics

I don't know much (well actually I don't know anything) about firearms so if there's more info you need let me know and I will try to get it for you.

We would like to know what it's worth, if anything. Thanks.

Goody · 01-15-2009, 09:14 PM

Very nice example of a sought after gun. Believe it to be a standard or Grade 1, the higher the grade the more the worth. It looks like about 85% condition. I would expect to pay $525-$600 around North Texas.

hey now · 01-15-2009, 10:01 PM

Wow! I didn't expect it to be worth much if anything at all. How can I tell what grade it is? What exactly does 'grade' mean pertaining to firearms?

Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it.

kgcabs · 01-17-2009, 12:20 AM

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...22B&catalog_=B

PetahW · 01-17-2009, 06:27 PM

The current Browning .22 Auto's are actually made for them by a Japanese firm, Miroku - whereas your husband's earlier rifle is generally referred to as a "Belgian" Browning as it was made by Browning (who had offices in MO & Quebec) before they started farming out their work, and therefor more desireable/valuable.

The only way to distinguish between grades of Browning firearms (and many other makes as well) is to be familiar with them.
ALL Browning .22 Auto's have at least some engraving.
That rifle has a minimal amount of engraving, with more profuse engraving as the grade numbers rose, to include both engraved animals and also gold inlaid animal figures in the higher grades.
The quality, color and grain pattern/contrast also got better with the grade.

They are so popular, there are also Chinese clones on the market, worth only a fraction of the real thing.

.

hey now · 01-17-2009, 08:39 PM

Thank you. I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions. You've been a tremendous help.

Hunter401 · 01-21-2009, 10:01 PM

I went to a North Carolina gun show this weekend on the second (and last) day. About noon I saw three Browning semi-autos in one booth. Asking prices were $1150 (made in Belgium, looked new), $950 (Made in Belgium, some wear) and $300 (made in Japan). At 3 p.m. the two Belgiums were gone, presumably sold. I checked the entire booth and did not see them. I thought the asking prices were high, but not so if they sold.

01-15-2009, 07:59 PM	#1
hey now Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle Hi, My husband has a 1966 (I believe) Browning 22 Long Rifle. Info as follows: Serial No. 6T48342 Browning Arms Co. St. Louis Mo. & Montreal P.Q. made in Belgium In OK condition - please see pics I don't know much (well actually I don't know anything) about firearms so if there's more info you need let me know and I will try to get it for you. We would like to know what it's worth, if anything. Thanks. Attached Images -->

01-15-2009, 09:14 PM	#2
Goody V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 333	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle Very nice example of a sought after gun. Believe it to be a standard or Grade 1, the higher the grade the more the worth. It looks like about 85% condition. I would expect to pay $525-$600 around North Texas.

01-15-2009, 10:01 PM	#3
hey now Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle Wow! I didn't expect it to be worth much if anything at all. How can I tell what grade it is? What exactly does 'grade' mean pertaining to firearms? Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it.

01-17-2009, 12:20 AM	#4
kgcabs Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle http://www.browning.com/products/cat...22B&catalog_=B

01-17-2009, 06:27 PM	#5
PetahW Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: State of Despair Posts: 239	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle The current Browning .22 Auto's are actually made for them by a Japanese firm, Miroku - whereas your husband's earlier rifle is generally referred to as a "Belgian" Browning as it was made by Browning (who had offices in MO & Quebec) before they started farming out their work, and therefor more desireable/valuable. The only way to distinguish between grades of Browning firearms (and many other makes as well) is to be familiar with them. ALL Browning .22 Auto's have at least some engraving. That rifle has a minimal amount of engraving, with more profuse engraving as the grade numbers rose, to include both engraved animals and also gold inlaid animal figures in the higher grades. The quality, color and grain pattern/contrast also got better with the grade. They are so popular, there are also Chinese clones on the market, worth only a fraction of the real thing. .

01-17-2009, 08:39 PM	#6
hey now Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle Thank you. I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions. You've been a tremendous help.

01-21-2009, 10:01 PM	#7
Hunter401 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Value of 1966 Browning Long Rifle I went to a North Carolina gun show this weekend on the second (and last) day. About noon I saw three Browning semi-autos in one booth. Asking prices were $1150 (made in Belgium, looked new), $950 (Made in Belgium, some wear) and $300 (made in Japan). At 3 p.m. the two Belgiums were gone, presumably sold. I checked the entire booth and did not see them. I thought the asking prices were high, but not so if they sold.