Browning BPCR serial numbers

[TexasMac]

First, I want to thank those of you who sent me your serial numbers.  I know there are many more out there, so come on guys and gals, help me out and cough up the numbers for the sake of research.  Here’s what I’m trying to do.

Not only am I trying to determine the range of serial number used for the Browning Creedmore (Browning’s spelling) and which ones had a fixed front sight, but I’m also attempting to define when several changes were made to the 40-65 and 45-70 models.  The crown and extractor was redesigned around the end of 1996 (1st yr. of production).  The stock bolt hole and butt plate were changed sometime in 1998 (last year of production).  Since Browning did not keep good records of when the changes were made I need your help to figure it out.  I have spoken to several folks at Browning many time and picked their brains.  I imaging by now I’ve worn out my welcome but was successful in accumulating a bunch of data and material, but not enough to nail down the changes.

So, if you can see fit to send me you serial numbers on any model of Browning BPCRs along with the following details I’d sure appreciate it.  I’m only looking for information on the BPCR models, not the rest of Browning’s model 1885.  I will respond with some details on your rifle you may not know about.

.45-90 Creedmore:
- full serial number
- type of front site (windage adjustable or fixed)
- stock bolt hole angle change – easily determined by the center-to-center hole spacing of you butt plate screws.  The original stock and butt plate has a spacing of 3.2” (8.2cm).  The redesigned stock and butt plate has a spacing of 4.05” (10.3cm).

.40-65 & .45-70 models:
- full serial number
- shape of the crown – there are two shapes, a counter-bored square-bottomed (90º step-down) crown or a concave or dished design also referred to as a “cereal bowl” crown
- stock bolt hole angle change – easily determined by the center-to-center hole spacing of you butt plate screws. The original stock and butt plate has a spacing of 3.2” (8.2cm). The redesigned stock and butt plate has a spacing of 4.05” (10.3cm).
- extractor – "If it’s not clear which extractor your rifle has it’s easy to determine without disassembling the action. As the action is opened both extractor designs move out of their resting slot below the breech rim and push the cartridge back out of the chamber. But, unless manually depressed, the old design extractor normally does not fully extend down and contact the top of the lowered breechblock. It will move up and down with your finger when the action was fully open. The redesigned extractor, after pushing the cartridge out, continues to move down until it comes in contact with the top of the breechblock. It will not move and never blocks the rim when inserting a new cartridge.

Please note your serial number will be kept private.  I will not give it out to anyone else.  You can email the data to me at:  texasmac@ev1.net  or send me a private message via this forum.  Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Wayne

[dickwholliday]

here ya go.....my 45-70 has ser# of10128np287 with cereal bowl crown....fixed front sight with sprit level...stock plate screws are 3.25"apart...it must have the second generation extractor because i've never had to touch it when loading

[TexasMac]

Thanks Dick.
Your rifle was assembled in 1998 with the original design stock.  Just be a little more careful of hitting the lower rear of the stock in front of the butt plate.  It's a little thin there and is the reason Browning changed the angle of the stock bolt hole.  From the data coming in so far, it appears the extractor was changed in late 1996 or early 1997 so I'm not surprised you don't have to worry with depressing it.  I sure appreciate the data.  Hopefully I'll conclude the research and get the material published soon.  It's been in progress for some time.

Wayne

[TexasMac]

A special thanks to the shooters that responded to my request for information on their Browning BPCRs.  I’m zeroing in on when some of the changes were made.  The recent information has also highlighted a possible problem and a change I was not aware of.

Since Browning started shipping the rifles I have noted and documented many comments on the design of the rear sight.  Most of these concerned an excessive amount of play or slack in the windage-base/ladder assembly in the fore and aft direction.  As most of you likely know steps to remove the slack were passed around the talk forums.  By the way, I know of many who did not worry about the slack and have not seen a negative effect on accuracy.  I’m certainly one of them, but then again, my shooting ability may very well overshadow any effect.  :>))

More recently a couple of comments about problems with the sight detent position have come to my notice.  Closely comparing sights shipped with earlier rifles to sights shipped with later rifles, it’s clear the diameter of the circular groove in the bottom of the windage barrel flange was reduced.  I might add that I have not had problems with the older sights on my rifles.  I’d like to get comments from any shooters who have experienced a problem with the sight staff detent, and solution that may have been implemented.

And again thanks to those that contributed info.  I hope more of you will see fit to contribute.  See my initial post requesting serial number and specific info on all Browning BPCRs.

Regards,
Wayne
email: texasmac@ev1.net