MFG. DATE BY S/N

Question
I HAVE A BROWNING BL-22 GRADE I.  THE S/N IS 03258MV242.
WOULD YOU , PLEASE, TELL ME THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE?
THANK YOU.    BOB CORD

Answer
Hello Bob. There is a system for dating Browning Long-guns. In 1998 Browning began a new data base program for dating their guns.This is their system: 1. Serial numbers begin with 01001 at the beginning of
                each year.
             2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code; Z=1 ,Y=2
                X=3 ,W=4 ,V=5 ,T=6 , R=7 ,P=8 ,N=9 ,M=0
             3. BL-22 Type  242= BL-22

Your BL-22 serial number is 03258. The two digits are M=0 and V=5 making your BL-22 made in 2005. This being proven by the 242 at the end of your numbering system since 242= BL-22.
I hope this helps answer your question. Charles Gage