How do you date or find the model of a Belgian-made Browning bolt action with serial number 4L24384 if you have tried the website and it does not match anything there?

Answer 1

Your rifle is a 1964 Safari Grade long extractor mauser action as denoted by the L in the serial number (dead give away since it is a pre 1968 rifle). A Medallion Grade would have an "X" and the Olympian Grade would have a "P" in the serial number for the mauser actions so we know it is not one of those grades. The short extractor was not introduced until late 1967 to early 1968. My guess is .30-06, 7mm, 264, 270, .300 win, 338, .458 or 300 H&H or .308 Norma Mag. It could possibly be a .308 or .243 in the small ring mauser configuration as they were made from 1960-1964. The sako action (.243, .308, .222's and 22-250) was introduced in 1964 but with a "y" or "z" in the serial number for the Safari Grade. The .284 Sako actions were introduced in 1965. I too collect these rifles and if you have questions please The gun was made in 1964, and it was called the Browning Bolt-Action Rifle. Further divided into Safari Grade, Medallion Grade and Olympian Grade, and also whether it has the FN Mauser action or Sako action. FN Mauser actions also are divided into short-extractor and long-extractor. Do NOT confuse this gun with the newer A-Bolt series which also use Safari and Medallion designations - they are completely different. We collect rifles such as you have, and I would be interested in getting some particulars.