Browning/FN rimfire rifle

[JeffM]

I was up at the folks place to visit a bit ago and went out on the ranch to do some plinking with my dad. He pulled out a .22 rifle that he had just purchased.

It was marked "fabrique nationale" on the barrel and "Browning Semi-Auto" on the butt plate. It was tube fed but the tube was inside the stock instead of under the barrel like a Marlin 60 is. It didn't have the "teardrop" opening in the stock but the tube was removed from the rear of the stock to facilitate loading.

I should have taken some pics but didn't think about it till I was gone.

Anyone have an idea of what model it is and maybe how much it's worth? I think my dad payed $100 or so for it.

[Air]

What you have there is one of the finest 22 rifles ever produced, the Browning SA22. One of the last (maybe the last) of John Browning's designs. Yours is made in Belgium, which are more sought after than the newer Japanese produced examples.

Here is my Grade One (made in Japan) Browning SA-22. I paid around 800 bucks with the case for mine new.




I've seen Belgium made SA22's go for anywhere from 400 to 800, depending on condition.

[Air]

Interesting, I re-read your post and it seems that it might not be the Browning SA22, if it doesn't have the hole in the stock, does it look similar to mine though?

[wellfedirishman]

Fun and reliable

These are really nice reliable guns. I have a Norinco copy of it which is a lot cheaper, and just as fun.

Enjoy!

[smittty]

I was up at the folks place to visit a bit ago and went out on the ranch to do some plinking with my dad. He pulled out a .22 rifle that he had just purchased.

It was marked "fabrique nationale" on the barrel and "Browning Semi-Auto" on the butt plate. It was tube fed but the tube was inside the stock instead of under the barrel like a Marlin 60 is. It didn't have the "teardrop" opening in the stock but the tube was removed from the rear of the stock to facilitate loading.

I should have taken some pics but didn't think about it till I was gone.

Anyone have an idea of what model it is and maybe how much it's worth? I think my dad payed $100 or so for it.

Does it load from a hole on top of the grip or from a hole on the right side of the butt stock?

If it loads from a hole on top of the grip it's called the FN Top Loader which is the original Browning design. FN later updated the design to load from a hole in the side of the stock. Top Loader holds 8 rounds if you load it from the top but if you remove the spring rod and load it from the back it will hold 9 rounds. The newer models with the loading hole on the side of the stock hole 10 rounds.

I have the FN Top Loader. I figure mine was made between WW1 and WW2.

This is one of those guns that you don't know how to appreciate until you get to hold it, take it down and play with it. Extremely light weight, accurate, reliable and beautiful to look at. When taken down (which takes 2 seconds btw) it measures under 20". It is the ultimate survival rifle!

[JeffM]

It looks very much like the rifle in the pics above, just not in near as good condition. It also appeared to have a take-down nut holding the barrel to the receiver like the rifle above.

It loads from the very rear of the stock. There is a hole/relief in the butt plate where the magazine tube insert (not sure what to call it exactly) containing the spring/follower is removed, rounds dropped down the magazine tube, then the mag tube insert is replaced.

But it does not have the tear-drop cutout in the side of the stock like I've seen with other versions.

It ejects from the bottom. There is no "top" port or opening that would facilitate loading.

[Air]

It looks very much like the rifle in the pics above, just not in near as good condition. It also appeared to have a take-down nut holding the barrel to the receiver like the rifle above.

It loads from the very rear of the stock. There is a hole/relief in the butt plate where the magazine tube insert (not sure what to call it exactly) containing the spring/follower is removed, rounds dropped down the magazine tube, then the mag tube insert is replaced.

But it does not have the tear-drop cutout in the side of the stock like I've seen with other versions.

It ejects from the bottom. There is no "top" port or opening that would facilitate loading.

Interesting. Even the Remington Model 24's have the cutout in the stock for loading, and those were the earliest, that I was aware of, production models of Browning's design. The nut on the barrel shouldn't have anything to do with the take down, it's only for tightening the lockup of the barrel/receiver. Is there a little switch that you can move on the bottom half of the barrel/stock? On mine, you move that and just twist it apart. Can you take pics of your rifle?

Here is a pic of Browning holding the rifle, with the stock cutout.

[smittty]

This is getting more interesting.

I thought the top loader receeded the side loading model. Maybe the rear loading model is the earlierst of the bunch or the stock could have been replaced and the hole not cut out.

The remingon made vesion was a licensed version prior to the guns being made under the Browning label. The Remington versions are very good.

The knurled barrel band serves to tighten the joint between the barrel and receiver.

We need a picture!

[Thefeeder]

//

Yes, the first models were loaded from the back ...Fabrique National were contracted to made the earlier Brownings....later made the same guns with the Browning marks....Brownings marked " Made in Belgium" were made at ...Fabrique National in Hersel and in Liege

Here is a belgium gun in Grade III 100% hand engraved

[ChrisO]

First .22 I shot with was one of the browning take down .22's just like the one posted above. My grandpa bought it new a long time ago and it still as the original box, it's in awesome condition and its VERY accurate I had a lot of fun with that gun.

[smittty]

Here's mine. It loads from a hole in the top of the grip. It's minimalist sort of rifle but very accurate and reliable. Taken down it's overall length is under 20" and weighs less than some revolvers.

[kgcabs]

I have permanent burns on my left forearm I shoot mine so much.

[JeffM]

I have permanent burns on my left forearm I shoot mine so much.

Hahaha I got a case down my long-sleeve shirt when I was shooting and held the forearm a little to close in.

I'll try to make it to my folks place this weekend to take good pics and post them up.

BTW I don't recall the rifle having the lever/protrusion near the front of the receiver like the pics here depict. Only a smallish tab in the very front of the receiver that I assumed held the forearm on.

[Air]

I have permanent burns on my left forearm I shoot mine so much.

LOL. I had a shell bounce off the table and land between my neck and collar. The wife thought I had a hickey!

[luisdeleon]

i found one made in belgum, dated late 50's eirly 60's it was really worn ,some browness (the metal part) to the end of the stock, lots of scratches on both wood and barrel. is it worth 400?