BLR Lever Action Rifle

The production of the BLR lever action rifle began in 1969. The Model 81 BLR lever action rifle was introduced in 1981 and included some minor changes, including a different magazine. The Lightning BLR was introduced in 1995 and is still in production.

To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's manuals online. You can go to those by clicking here.

Date	Historic Information	Serial Number Info
1969-75	In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture: K=BLR Lever Action Rifle This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000. Example: 69M1000 = A 1969 BAR High Power rifle with a serial number of 1000.	K=BLR Lever Action Rifle Made in Belgium from 1969 - 1972. Made in Japan from 1973 to present.
1976-1997	In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998. The Model 81 BLR was introduced in 1981. The Lightning BLR was introduced in 1995. 1. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start 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. BLR Type 127=BLR Lever Action 327=Model 81 BLR Long Action 227=Model 81 BLR Short Action 427=Lightning BLR	Serial Number Example: 01001PY227 This would be an Model 81 BLR Short Action rifle,manufactured in 1982 with the serial number 01001.
1998	In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle. 1. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start 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. Lightning BLR Type 341=Lightning BLR	Serial Number Example: 01001NN341 This would be a Lightning BLR rifle, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.