doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT Browning high grade rifle in 458

I've just received a .458 high grade FN, made in Belgium, Browning rifle. Mauser action. It's almost new condition except for some gun safe marks. The person that I got it from bought it in 1975 and said he shot it exactly twice and said it kicked his butt. He put it away and never fired it again. SN# 2X143xx. Lots of engraving, floorplate and triggerguard has gold fill of an Ibex or maybe a sheep. Right side has the following: Browning Arms Company St Louis Mo & Montreal PQ. It has a silver shield with an initial on the bottom of the stock. Any help on the age, model and value would be appreciated. I can post photos if needed.

Hi Mike,
Sounds like a Medallion Grade to me. My dad had one way back in
1972, I think. It was almost new then, he got it on a trade. His
was a 30-06, and had incredible wood as I remember. He always said
that he regretted selling it. Hope that helps a little. Ron

A Medallion Grade would be in the $2000 to $3000 range.

the "2" means it was made in 1962 (or at least the serial # was assigned to the receiver then). the "X" means it's a medallion grade. per eastman's book, 1962 was the first year the medallion and olympian grades were offered but he's at least partly wrong in that as i owned an olympian grade that was dated 1961. but i've also owned a couple of BAR's in higher grades that were also dated a year prior to when he claims they were available.

that gun will by default be a long extractor and not a chance of salt, i.e. one of the most desireable, particularly in a big magnum. the initial shield wouldn't be original to the gun unless someone ordered it that way. unlikely but no way to prove either way unless there were some authenticating paperwork with it.

roger

Thanks everyone. The info helps. Roger the SN # isn't on the receiver anywhere, it's on the right side of the barrel just under the rear sight. I'll probably sell it when I get a better handle on value. I'd love to keep it but it's too nice for me to take out in the Alaskan weather and at only 7 lbs 11 ozs the guy I got it from might be right about the recoil. I'm not recoil shy but I don't feel a strong desire to shoot it. The last photo shows both the shield and safe damage.

Nobody has a strong desire to pop-off a 458, oh sure, they'll go right thru a rotting stump in the meadow.
...but they just make a little bigger holes in paper than do the 22lr. Had a Colt-Sauer Grand African, that was traded-off for an Anschutz 1710 after a few rounds.

I suggest you cook up some reduced loads for your 458 before you trun it loose. It's pretty simple to come up with equivalent 45-70 power loads. Cast bullets can be pretty entertaining also. I shoot reduced loads in my .460 Weatherby and .416 Dakota for grins. Of course I use full house loads when I go on an Okie Safari!!!!!!! The rogue armadillos are really a problem around here!!!!

in a proper rifle, 458's aren't that bad and are a lot of fun to shoot. the stock design on the browning safari's was the most comfortable stock shape ever put on a rifle for handling recoil. i never had a 458 but did have 375's and recoil even off the bench was of no consequence. the weight is a little surprising, being that light, but there was apparently quite a bit of variation in the wood browning used on their higher grades. i had a midas 12 3" mag once that only weighed 7.5# (supposed to be 8#+), same as a 26" bbld lightning i had at the time.

yeah, that rifle is a really good one - all early features including the rear sight (which is a really good sight design). the only thing anyone would find to complain about is it not beint mint and there's appropriate responses to that. i'd sure be proud to own it.

roger

My .02... I like the gun but I just can't take basketweave checkering.

While the stock design is good for recoil, I still would like to see at least a couple more pounds on a .458. Agree the rifle is great and that the cartridge can be nicely tamed with some proper handloads making it tolerable for non dangerous game and the shooter.