Description:
Browning Belgium Medallion RARE .22-250 As-new.
Browning High-Power Medallion Grade (Belgium manufacture) bolt action rifle (Sako medium action made in Finland), .22-250 Rem., 24” heavy barrel. Rifle built from 1960-74 in the Browning Custom Shop in Herstal, Belgium. This is the Rarist Medallion Caliber, only 175 made.
The Medallion Grade is a handmade rifle, of best quality, and features select figured walnut with skipline checkering with carved borders, a sculptured cheek piece, rosewood grip cap and forearm cap set off with white line spacers made of holly wood, Browning contoured butt plate inscribed with makers name, blue-black luster bluing, with the Sako receiver and barrel portions hand scroll engraved, and a ram’s head engraved and gold filled on the floor plate. Bolt is jeweled and bolt knob is knurled. L.O.P. 13 3/4”
According to S.P. Fjestad, in his Blue Book of Gun Values, Belgium Medallion rifles in .22-250 Rem. are very rare. Some of these guns were known to have had a salt-curing problem that caused rapid rusting of the metal areas in contact with the wood. This gun has been silver nitrate tested and is a “NO SALT” gun, guaranteed.
According to USA Browning Custom Shop Dealer, Michael Murphy & Sons, if the Custom Shop were to build a Medallion today, the replacement cost would be in excess of $9,000. But, let’s look at current collectability of this model in this caliber: The Blue Book shows a base price of $3,025 in Mint condition. A footnote shows add 10% to 50% for rare calibers. Another footnote lists the rarity order of the calibers starting with the least rarist, 30-06, 300 H&H, 375 H&H, 264 Win Mag, 222 Rem., 222 Rem Mag, 284 Win. The 22-250 IS NOT EVEN LISTED because less than 175 were made. Blue Book Value of this rarist of Belgium Medallions is $4,537. Priced here at $3,950 is about 12% below Blue Book. And of the few I’ve seen in the last 30 years, none has had nicer wood figure than this particular example. Purchase includes Millet engraved scope rings as shown.
Condition of this rifle is Collector New, as manufactured in 1965, with near Exhibition wood with exceptional color and feather pattern.
About the Custom Shop: Ben Roberts recently wrote in his column for the Gun Mart, a review of his visit to the Browning Custom Shop in Herstal Belgium. Here are some excerpts from that review:
“Hand made sporting guns present the pinnacle of our industry the world over, whether it’s an English Purdey, French Demas, Italian Famars or a Belgian Browning. Each is special and unique, as much if not more a work of art than a tool. No wonder then that shooters around the globe yearn to possess one! Entering the Custom Shop is like stepping back in time. Instead of banks of CNC machines and crates of pre-manufactured parts awaiting assembly there are a few rows of benches at which the artisans of Herstal ply their craft. It is fitting then that [John Moses Browning’s] spirit lives on amongst the corridors of Herstal setting the standards all over again but this time for delivering a blend of human efforts and true manufacturing perfection into a brand that looks set to thrive well into the future.”
Seller is the author of The Rifleman's Rifle and will provide a Letter of Provenance that this rifle is from the author's personal collection.
SPECIAL DISCOUNT: If purchased before Jan.1, 2011, seller will discount $300.00 off purchase price.
NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: We can refer you to 2 export sources who can handle export transactions to many non-US countries, especially Canada and Australia.
Condition:
Used, As New
Caliber:
.22-.250
Item #:
955674676
Stock No.:
N/A
Location:
GA
Trades Accepted: Trades considered at buyers wholesale value.
Shipping Notes: Buyer pays $45.00 shippng, must provide FFL, questions, call Roger
Author of The Rifleman's Rifle, on the Winchester Pre-64 Model 70. Although seller is in Hawaii, shipping costs are calculated from the West Coast.
