It is possible. In addition to a serial number having been removed, the Browning plant in Belgium was taken over by the Nazis in WW II, and produced Browning pistols for the German military. While they were SUPPOSED to have serial numbers, things are not always done correctly during a war.
Impossible to answer without knowing if the letters are part of the model designation, serial number or on the box label.
The letters MW in the serial number of your browning stand for the year of manufacture which was 2004.
Browning made .22 rifles AND pistols- you did not tell us what you have. The Browning website, customer service, has historical data for many Browning firearms by serial number. See if your model is listed. If not email Browning.
Answer Browning Challenger II ageBrowning says 1982, but I have seen one with a serial number dated 1983.I can confirm the above answer. My Browning Challenger II has a serial number dated 1983.
The letters NX indicate that your Browning was made in the year 1993.
The letters MT in the middle of your serial number indicate that your browning was made in 2006.
The letters nv in the middle of your serial number indicate that your browning was made in 1995.
The serial number to a browning shotgun made in the year 1989 will have the letters PN found some where in the serial number.
The letters NZ in your serial number dates your browning Hi-power to the year 1991.
Browning offers history letters for @ 40 USD. It will tell help with the history you are looking for. Without knowing the features, markings and action type, there is not much I can supply.
Besides a number of books published on Browning, and some of the gun collector forums (google Browning collectors) you might start with Browning. They have a website, and are still in business making very nice rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
The letters MX indicate that your Browning shotgun was made in the year 2003.