Bl-22 date code?

[funkyhunky]

Hey guys. I picked up a really nice browning bl-22 grade one for $385(all in) from a local shop.
The serial # is stamped by the trigger and it doesn't match with any on the browning site.
It's code starts with 47B and is eight digits long. It's in near mint condition, the light wood is perfect and the action doesn't even seem like it's broken in yet.
My guess is that it's nearly 40 years old, is this possible?
thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[paisley70]

I am pretty sure that the 47 is the year of the emperor in Japan. I was born in 1977, and all of my old ID in Japan read "year of the emperor -52-" , so by my estimate you have a 1972 model year. Miroku has been making them for Browning since 1970 in Japan. I know it is a guess, but all numbers have meaning, and the year of the emperor would definitely be on the older models.

 

[funkyhunky]

Thanks, that makes sense. I saw another guy asking about his 37B.
I can't believe this gun is nearly as old as me .
dan

 

[paisley70]

Well consider yourself lucky to get an awesome gun at such a great price. After shipping and taxes, mine was $670.00 just three weeks ago.

 

[kamlooky]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say 1974.

 

[johNTO]

Hey guys. I picked up a really nice browning bl-22 grade one for $385(all in) from a local shop.
The serial # is stamped by the trigger and it doesn't match with any on the browning site.
It's code starts with 47B and is eight digits long. It's in near mint condition, the light wood is perfect and the action doesn't even seem like it's broken in yet.
My guess is that it's nearly 40 years old, is this possible?
thanks in advance,
Dan

An early model Bl-22 in near mint condition for $385! You stole it!
Enjoy/take care of that fine little lever and post some pics or it didn't happen.....

 

[Canadian_Zuk]

Awesome find! I had one years ago and wish I had kept it, they are a sweet little gun with such a short throw.

 

[buffdog]

.

Browning serial numbering according to "Proofhouse."

1968 to 1975 - The last two digits of the year was used,

Example: Serial number 69B12345:

69 = Year of manufacture (1969)
C = Model
12345 = Serial number

Are you sure that the first two numbers are 47 and not 74?
.

 

[funkyhunky]

Yup, it's 47B.
Dan

 

[kamlooky]

Phone Browning.
There were a few years they spun the numbers around.

 

[camster]

Likely a '74. "B" means it's a grade II...Still not sure if these are "Canadian" serials, or just reversed years.

EDIT:
add-on

Very cool acquisition!!!

 

[funkyhunky]

This is such a nice gun!
dan

 

[fiddler]

Go here

https://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=21

Mine is RN, which is 1979, the year I bought it when 15 years old. Still have the original box and receipt. Was 275 bucks in 79.