Overstamped serial number on Browning SA22

[CQB27]

I contacted Browning. They searched their microfiche records and found an annotation the corrected number is the valid serial number. They are sending me an official letter stating those facts. They also had the original sales receipt that indicated the sale of the rifle, by correct serial number, to a local gun store in 1963. So I will have all the official documentation that this gun, manufactured prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968, requiring serial numbers, is a valid gun.

Who cares......according to the experts it’s altered and you are going to Federal Prison!



Just kidding (about prison anyway). Great find, enjoy that gun, it’s a Beaut!

 

[rose jackets67]

I have a Smith 442 with an overstamped serial number. I think it’s cool. Matching box etc so no doubt of it’s legality. Congrats on the neat old gun.

 

[Deleted member 80540]

good for you.

 

[n4rod]

I got the gun home and I don't think the original owner ever cleaned or lubed the gun in the 56 years it's been around! Man, what a dirty, dry gun on the inside. The outside is spotless. I disassembled it and scrubbed the parts with Ballistol and a tooth brush. Got everything sparkling clean, then blew it all out with my 140 psi air compressor. I lightly oiled the moving parts and reassembled the gun. Man is it slick operating now. Fired 50 rounds and it works perfectly. Got it sighted in at 25 yards as that's about as far as I can see with my 70 year old eyes that suffer from vitreous membrane separation. I think this is going to be a great 22 rifle in my collection. I uploaded a better photo of the serial number. You can definitely see the correction in this photo.

 

[41mag]

I got the gun home and I don't think the original owner ever cleaned or lubed the gun in the 56 years it's been around! Man, what a dirty, dry gun on the inside. The outside is spotless. I disassembled it and scrubbed the parts with Ballistol and a tooth brush. Got everything sparkling clean, then blew it all out with my 140 psi air compressor. I lightly oiled the moving parts and reassembled the gun. Man is it slick operating now. Fired 50 rounds and it works perfectly. Got it sighted in at 25 yards as that's about as far as I can see with my 70 year old eyes that suffer from vitreous membrane separation. I think this is going to be a great 22 rifle in my collection. I uploaded a better photo of the serial number. You can definitely see the correction in this photo. View attachment 2072096 View attachment 2072097 View attachment 2072098

And what a beauty it is, that stock looks sharp

 

[Hayata]

Purty!

Glad you got the serial number squared away!

 

[GeoW]

What matters is the SN that is transferred to you, the buyer. Do not change it after the transfer..

 

[cjnowell72]

Wouldn't give it a second thought. I doubt that was the rifle used to kill Jimmy Hoffa.

If it was it would be worth alot more

 

[300_whisper]

Swap out the barrel. Boom no longer an issue. Barrels are expendable.

Anyway, don’t sweat it. It’s a beautiful rifle. Great find.

 

[Mark IV]

Cool thread !