BT99 year of manufacture ?

[GuyGeorges]

Hi, I just bougth a BT99 12 ga 32" Made in Japan. The serial number (under the tang) is 1046D9.
I went to the Browning web site to check the date but it does not make sense with my ser number.
I know that some times the 2 digits are reverse but that does noy make sense either. The BT99 was first made in 1968
The gun has a long trigger guard and engraving
Can you help me determine the date of production ?
Thanks
Guygeorges

 

[Rod B]

According to the info on the Browning website your BT99 was made in 1973.

 

[GuyGeorges]

I don't understand, Rod Bm how you arrive at 1973, Here is what the browning websye says :

Date Historic Information Serial Number Info
1968-75 1969 started using two digits for the date of manufacture and the following code:
D=BT-99
The serial number began with 1000 for each year.
Example: 0001D69 = A 1969 BT-99 shotgun with a serial number of 0001. D=BT-99

1976-1995 In 1976 Browning re-standardized its serial number identification. The BT-99 was discontinued in 1995.
1. Serial Number
beginning with 01001
at the start of each year.
2. Date of Manufacture
is a two digit code Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6
R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
3. BT-99 Type 149=BT-99 Type
Serial
Number Example:
01001RT149

This would be an BT-99 shotgun, manufactured in 1976 with the serial

So it should end with D73 to be a 1973 gun if I umderstood their explinations
Thanks
Guygeorges

 

[rembolt]

On the Browning site they tell you that the date code was changed in 69 .with no mention of how the 68 model year was coded . perhaps your gun was produced in 68 for the 69 model year befor the date coding change took effect thus D9 . I just sold a 2006 BT 99 with a BT 100 model code that's 5 years after the BT 100 was discontinued so the date and model code is not 100% accurate all the time .

 

[Rod B]

Georges, I was using the 04 in your serial number. Production of the BT99 started in 1969. I was assuming the 04 meant the fourth year of production, thus making it a 1973 model.

That said I have been wrong before, my wife will verify that fact.

 

[GuyGeorges]

Fond the answer to my question !
First upon close inspection the ser num was not 1046D9 but 1046D8
Spoke with the Browning historian today and was told that the gun was made in 1968
So it was one of the first BT99 made !!
Great !!
Thanks everyone
Guy

 

[Rod B]

Glad you got it sorted out.

I have a 1979 vintage BT99, great gun I really enjoy it