Browning SA-22 Grade I .22 LR, Belgian-Made (1967), 19.25 in Takedown, Bottom-Eject, Blued with Checkered Walnut
This 1967 Browning SA-22 Grade I is an FN Herstal Belgian-produced example with factory bordered scroll engraving on a blued steel receiver and classic checkered, high-gloss walnut furniture. It features the hallmark bottom-ejecting, takedown design with a 19.25 in steel barrel and buttstock tubular magazine. Belgian proofs and St. Louis/Montreal rollmarks confirm its period-correct origin. The bore is excellent, bright, and clean.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The wooden furniture shows scratches and dents.
What's Included
- Browning SA-22 Grade I semi-automatic rifle (Made in Belgium, 1967)
Designed by John Moses Browning in 1912 and patented in 1914, the SA-22 holds the distinction of being the first production semi-automatic rifle chambered in .22 LR. This Grade I Belgian-made example from 1967 reflects the longstanding FN Herstal production era (1914–1974), with Belgian proof marks on the barrel shank and rollmarks reading Browning Arms Company St. Louis Mo. & Montreal P.Q.
The SA-22’s bottom-ejecting system directs spent cases downward, providing a naturally ambidextrous shooting experience. A tool-less takedown mechanism separates the rifle into barrel/forearm and buttstock/receiver assemblies by rotating the knurled barrel collar, making storage and transport straightforward.
This rifle uses a buttstock tubular magazine with a right-side loading port and a follower knob accessible through the buttplate cutout. Capacity is 10+1 in .22 LR. Sighting is via iron sights: a fixed blade/bead front and a folding leaf rear. The action is simple blowback for reliable rimfire operation.
Grade I trim includes a blued steel receiver with a bordered scroll-engraving panel and checkered high-gloss walnut stock and matching walnut forearm. The 19.25 in round steel barrel and takedown collar are signature features of the platform. Typical factory specs list an overall length of about 37 in and weight of roughly 5.2–5.3 lb, with a 13.6 in length of pull.
Historically, FN Herstal in Belgium produced the SA-22 until 1974, when manufacturing moved to Miroku in Japan. Licensed counterparts appeared as the Remington Model 24 (1919–1935) and Model 241 (1935–1949). While offered in multiple grades over time, Grade I remains the classic configuration with scroll engraving and checkered walnut.