Browning BAR Grade IV Type 2 .300 Win. Mag. Belgian-Made, Hand-Engraved Semi-Auto Rifle (1978)
This 1978 Browning BAR Grade IV Type 2 combines the power of the .300 Winchester Magnum with rare, full-coverage FN Liège Custom Shop engraving. Belgian proof marks, a French gray coin-finished alloy receiver, and a gold-colored trigger highlight its premium build. Limited production numbers make Grade IV rifles especially desirable to collectors who value both performance and craftsmanship.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The right side of the receiver and the trigger display heavy finish loss. The buttstock shows notable damage, and there are scattered scratches, blemishes, and areas of surface rust consistent with hard field use.
What’s Included
- Factory Browning BAR detachable box magazine
Hand-engraved scrolls and game scenes cover the receiver, a hallmark of Grade IV rifles and a clear indicator of FN’s Liège Custom Shop workmanship. The detail features deer set in woodland settings framed by elegant scrollwork.
The alloy receiver wears Browning’s French gray coin finish that contrasts with the deep-blued 24-inch barrel, giving the rifle a distinct two-tone appearance. Belgian proof marks further verify its FN Herstal origin.
A gloss-finished walnut stock and matching handguard provide classic lines, complemented by factory sling swivel studs and a ventilated recoil pad for added shooting comfort. The 13.75-inch length of pull suits most adult shooters.
The gas-operated, rotating-bolt action feeds from a 4-round detachable magazine, delivering reliable semi-automatic follow-up shots in a full-power magnum caliber. The gold-colored trigger underscores Browning’s attention to detail on this premium sporting rifle.
Serial suffix “RP” confirms 1978 production, and model code “437” identifies it as a true Grade IV—a much scarcer variant than the standard Grade I, elevating its collector appeal.