The first known gun is dated back to 1326. However the first mechanical firing devices weren't invented till 1424 and rifling wasn't invented until 1498.
A cannon
A gun manufactured by Browning Arms
The first step is to very carefully check that the gun is unloaded.
This was a light made gun but very desirable to any collector. This weapon was manufactured in 1969 by Browning.
The first two numbers of the given serial number indicate the year the gun was manufactured. In this case, the gun was made in 1973.
Probably the Chinese
The fist Fordson tractor was manufactured in 1917. The Fordson tractor is manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. The tractor was manufactured in the United Stated, the UK and Ireland.
1972
Contact the maker.
USA if you mean Ruger.
It was among the very first guns.
Browning first, then MidWest Gun Works.