1945
Best left to a factory trained gunsmith.
On the top of the tang.
1952 was the first year that FN made Brownings with the cross bolt safety as standard. I have seen a few guns made in 51 with the cross bolt and I have seen at least one 1952 gun with a front trigger safety. Many of the older guns were converted by Browning to switch the front trigger safety to crossbolt. You can tell this if there is a slot in the front of the trigger guard. If the customer paid, he could have a new trigger guard installed along with the conversion, thus it is not possible to date a gun by the safety alone. FN continued the front trigger on their guns that they sold worldwide until the early 60's. These were not Browning Arms Co. guns
You need the services of a Browning trained gunsmith
Requires in person examination.
This weapon will need to be appraised and compared against known samples.
Your shotgun will bring between 350-550 dollars,depending on overall condition and a good bore.
You will have to call Browning to see if it is even possible.
Please help us out. The "SR" does not compute. What guage is it?
No one Mossberg shotgun. Tell us what you have, we may be able to answer.
Browning had the safety in front of the trigger in the trigger guard primarily on its early designs, specifically the Browning Hi-Power pistol introduced in 1935. This design feature was used in various models until the late 1970s, as newer designs moved towards other safety mechanisms. The safety placement was a distinctive characteristic of many Browning firearms during this period.
You dont, you keep it on.