Make: Browning, Belgium

Model: SA-22 (Semi-Auto .22), Grade I Engraved

Serial Number: 4T5038

Year of Manufacture: 1964 (4T Date Code)

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Rifle.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM". The right side of the barrel is marked "BROWNING PATENT". The left side of the barrel is marked "22 LONG RIFLE". The bottom of the barrel is marked "4T5038". The bottom of the bolt has a series of Belgian proofs.

Barrel Length: 19 3/8"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a gold beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear is an adjustable folding "U"-notch leaf dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top of the receiver is scope grooved.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb and a serrated blued steel buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. There are scattered light handling marks. The checkering is crisp. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The finish is strong and complete throughout. There are a few minor handling marks. The screw headsare sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Browning SA-22 stands among John M. Browning’s most refined sporting rifles, and the Belgian-made examples from the 1960s are widely regarded as the pinnacle of the model’s production. This 1964 Grade I shows the classic features collectors look for: select walnut stocks with crisp checkering, rich Belgian bluing, and the trim, svelte profile that has defined the SA-22 since its introduction in 1914. The bottom-eject system keeps the action clean and ambidextrous, and the takedown design remains one of the most elegant ever executed on a rimfire rifle. Even today, these early Belgian rifles feel uniquely well-balanced in the hands and exhibit craftsmanship that has made the model endure for more than a century.

The .22 Long Rifle cartridge has been the heart of the SA-22 since the beginning, and its smooth cycling, mild recoil, and precision make it ideal for small-game hunting and plinking. This example’s outstanding metal finish, bright 9/10 bore, and tight, crack-free walnut stocks speak to careful use over the decades. All markings remain crisp, the mechanics are sound, and the receiver’s scope grooves offer the option of adding glass without disturbing its trim lines. As a mid-1960s Belgian SA-22—an era prized by Browning enthusiasts—this rifle represents the model at its finest, blending collectible quality with functional excellence.