Browning Model FN High-Power Safari Grade Short Action Sako, Blued 22 ½” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1964 C&R

SOLD FOR:$1,205.01
LSB#:
160503SH19

Make: This rifle was assembled by FN in Belgium from a Sako (Finland) manufacture barreled action.

Model: Browning FN High-Power Safari Grade Short Action Sako

Serial Number: 1096Y4

Year of Manufacture: 1964

Caliber: .222 Remington

Action Type: Bolt Action with Hinged Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY”. The left side of the barrel at the receiver, the receiver’s chamber ring and the top of the bolt handle are marked with a proof that resembles a flaming bomb with a script “E” in the center. This is a Liege proof mark used on guns that were not made in Belgium. The right side of the barrel at the chamber is marked “1096Y4” and the right side of the barrel is marked “CALIBER .222 ONLY / MADE IN FINLAND”. The underside of the bolt handle is scribed with “51096”. The magazine floorplate and trigger guard are engraved and gold filled.

Barrel Length: The barrel is 22 ½” in length and has a heavily recessed crown.

Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for a front sight on the barrel. The rear of the barrel is drilled, tapped and filled for a rear iron sight, and the top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a scope mount.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered fancy walnut with a distinctive fiddleback grain in the buttstock and a high luster finish. The stock has a Monte Carlo comb with cheekpiece, pistol grip, sling swivel studs and a black plastic shotgun style buttplate marked “BROWNING”. There are a very few light handling marks scattered over the stock, with a few tiny nicks at the front edge of the pistol grip and a shallow ding in the right side of the forend just behind the checkering. The checkering appears to be hand-cut and shows light wear without mars. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows a few light marks on its edges, and is in about Excellent condition. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is a high luster black bluing with gold filled engraving on the trigger guard and magazine floorplate. The bolt handle and bolt are brightly polished and “In The White”.

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 small ding in the trigger guard and a light mark in the tang at the left of the front part of the magazine floorplate. There are also a few light scratches in the top of the bolt handle. The gold filling is still present in the magazine floorplate but is starting to thin in the trigger guard. The screw slots are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a FN Browning High Power Safari Grade Short Sako Action bolt action rifle chambered in .222 Remington. It has a Sako barreled action and was assembled by FN in 1964. This is a beautiful rifle with high luster bluing and gold filled engraving on the magazine floorplate and trigger guard. The stock is a checkered fancy grade walnut with a high luster lacquered finish, and has a pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb and cheekpiece. The rifle is in Excellent condition with about 99% of its finish remaining. There are a few light scratches in the top of the bolt handle, a shallow ding in the trigger guard and a very light mark in the tang at the front of the magazine floorplate. The gold filling in the trigger guard is starting to thin. The stocks show only a few light marks with a few tiny nicks at the bottom front edge of the pistol grip and a shallow ding in the right side of the forend. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. This is a very beautiful rifle, so please see our pictures. It only weighs about 6lbs 13ozs. so it can be carried all day without wearing you out. The .222 Remington cartridge, or “Triple Duece”, was introduced in 1950 and enjoyed a reputation as a flat shooting cartridge capable of excellent accuracy. It is the parent cartridge to the .223 Remington, which has a stretched case and produces a little more muzzle velocity. Although eclipsed in popularity by the .223 Rem., the “Triple Duece” is still an excellent choice on varmints and other small game. This is a really nice looking rifle in fantastic condition chambered in a flat shooting varmint cartridge, and is in nice enough condition to make a nice gift to that special youngster in your family that has expressed a desire for varmint or small game hunting. It doesn’t have iron sights, so you will need to pick up a scope, rings and mounts before you take it out for some shooting fun.

Browning Model FN High-Power Safari Grade Short Action Sako, Blued 22 ½” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1964 C&R
Browning Model FN High-Power Safari Grade Short Action Sako, Blued 22 ½” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1964 C&R