Belgian FN Browning SA-22 SA22 SA 22 Grade II Angelo Bee Engraved Semi-Automatic Takedown Rifle, MFD 1959 C&R

SOLD FOR:$1.730
LSB#:
141217JW02
Make: Made by FN in Belgium for Browning
Model: SA-22 Grade II
Serial Number: 9T 89712
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Takedown, Semi-Automatic with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The front face of the receiver and the underside of the barrel are marked “9T 89712”. The top of the barrel is marked “Browning Arms Company St. Louis Mo. & Montreal P.Q / Made In Belgium”. The left side of the barrel is marked “22 Long Rifle” and with a Crowned “PV” smokeless proof with a Perron symbol between the “P” and the “V”. The right side of the barrel is marked “Browning’s Patent”. The crowned proof is also found on the bottom of the bolt. The top and sides of the receiver are floral engraved with pictures of two prairie dogs on the left side, two squirrels on the right and a flying duck on the top. Both sides of the receiver are signed “A.BEE” by the engraver Angelo Bee.
Barrel Length: 19 ¼”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “U” notched leaf sight that has a fine adjustment for elevation. There is a drilled, filled and tapped hole in front of and behind the rear sight for mounting a scope.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are high gloss fancy checkered walnut. The buttstock has a pistol grip with a blued serrated buttplate. The buttplate has a large hole in it for insertion of the magazine tube. There is also a scooped hole in the right side of the buttstock for partial filling of the magazine tube. The forend is a semi-beavertail. There are a few very light marks in the finish of both the buttstock and the forend. There are also two tiny compression marks on the left side of the buttstock near the heel and a scratch in the bottom of the forend in front of the checkering. The fine checkering is sharp to the touch and shows only extremely light wear. The LOP measures 13 ¾” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows two small round compression marks. The buttplate and the stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel has a blued finish, the receiver has a satin gray finish and the trigger is silver plated.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a single light mark on the left side of the barrel and a few tiny marks on the opposite side of the barrel. There is a mark near the front lower corner of the left side of the receiver and a very few very light marks on the rest of the receiver. The fill screws in the barrel are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger and the rifle easily takes down into two pieces. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: What a beautiful rifle! Few auto loading rimfire rifles have endured the test of time and the marketplace like the Browning SA-22. It stands alone as one of the first auto-loading rimfire rifles, and one the most desirable rifles ever made. The SA-22 was one of the last of John M. Browning’s designs, and his genius shines through in every feature. The slim, stylish forged steel receiver and slender barrel takes down into two compact units without tools. The SA-22’s tasteful engraving by Master Engraver Angelo Bee and select walnut make it an object of lasting beauty and enjoyment. The stock has a high gloss finish, and the receiver is floral engraved with animals and birds on the sides and top. Even the underside of the trigger guard is engraved. Angelo Bee did the engraving, and signed both sides of the receiver. Mr. Bee started working at Browning in Belgium out of high school as a machinist. He soon became an apprentice engraver and worked his craft there for 25 years before coming to America in 1975. By that time, he was already well known here for the quality of this work, and has since been known for his “One of a Kind” masterpieces. For more on Mr. Bee, please see http://angelobeeguns.com/. This is a Browning SA-22 Grade II .22 L.R. semi-auto rifle in Excellent condition with about 99% of its original finish remaining. It shows only a few light marks in the barrel, receiver, and stocks. If the Grade II rifle is this nice looking, the Grade III must really be something to behold. Please see our pictures for a better idea of how nice looking it really is. This rifle is sure to make it into the hands of a Browning collector.

Belgian FN Browning SA-22 SA22 SA 22 Grade II Angelo Bee Engraved Semi-Automatic Takedown Rifle, MFD 1959 C&R
Belgian FN Browning SA-22 SA22 SA 22 Grade II Angelo Bee Engraved Semi-Automatic Takedown Rifle, MFD 1959 C&R