Browning FN bolt action value
- Thread starter Iafarmer
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Dave DeLaurant
Member
They should be worth 1-2 grand, but lately around here classic hunting rifles are a slightly depressed market. If you're buying I'd suggest offering something like $600-800. If selling, ask for $3K -- there's one on GB right now with that as a starting bid, so there's precedent.
Any pics?
Browning Medallion Grade FN High Power Bolt Action Rifle Cal. 338 WIN MAG - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 1001472030
Buy Browning Medallion Grade FN High Power Bolt Action Rifle Cal. 338 WIN MAG: GunBroker is the largest seller of Bolt Action Rifles Rifles Guns & Firearms All: 1001472030
www.gunbroker.com
Any pics?
This is just an opinion, but I like M98 features. However the M98 was expensive to machine and what I see with Browning FN actions, is a cheapening of the action.
I consider this period of FN action to be the most desirable as they were closer to the military Mauser action.
This is the bolt on a mid 50's FN Deluxe, it has the bolt guide, third lug, and the firing pin safety features that block gas flow down the firing pin.
With a gas leak, the firing pin will snap back and block gas flow through the bolt shroud
The M98 had a firing pin interlock. If the bolt is in battery, the firing pin can touch the primer.
If the bolt is not closed, the lugs are out of alinement with recesses cut inside of the bolt, and if the firing pin breaks, the firing pin is blocked from touching the primer. You can see the firing pin lugs out of alignment in this picture.
The bolt stop on an FN Supreme is the buffered military bolt stop. That protects the bolt lug from battering. You can see it on this military action.
an FN Deluxe was more expensive than a pre 64 M70. At the time of this ad, a pre 64 M70 was selling for about $100.
When Browning took over distribution, the action was cheapened, the Mauser safety features deleted. You can look at the Browning FN bolt and see the bolt guide and safety lug gone. Remove the firing pin and you will see the gas blocking features gone. About all the Browning FN actions had of classic M98 features was a Mauser claw extractor.
These FN Deluxe rifles go for over a thousand now. Maybe more.
I consider this period of FN action to be the most desirable as they were closer to the military Mauser action.
This is the bolt on a mid 50's FN Deluxe, it has the bolt guide, third lug, and the firing pin safety features that block gas flow down the firing pin.
With a gas leak, the firing pin will snap back and block gas flow through the bolt shroud
The M98 had a firing pin interlock. If the bolt is in battery, the firing pin can touch the primer.
If the bolt is not closed, the lugs are out of alinement with recesses cut inside of the bolt, and if the firing pin breaks, the firing pin is blocked from touching the primer. You can see the firing pin lugs out of alignment in this picture.
The bolt stop on an FN Supreme is the buffered military bolt stop. That protects the bolt lug from battering. You can see it on this military action.
an FN Deluxe was more expensive than a pre 64 M70. At the time of this ad, a pre 64 M70 was selling for about $100.
When Browning took over distribution, the action was cheapened, the Mauser safety features deleted. You can look at the Browning FN bolt and see the bolt guide and safety lug gone. Remove the firing pin and you will see the gas blocking features gone. About all the Browning FN actions had of classic M98 features was a Mauser claw extractor.
These FN Deluxe rifles go for over a thousand now. Maybe more.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
Amen brother! I own two Husqvarna sporters with FN commercial actions from 1948 (R) and 1950 (L) that bridge the changeover from milling to broaching the bolt lug races of their 98 receiver. This reduced machining time, but also reduced the area of the receiver supporting the rear face of the barrel.
BTW, used Husqvarna/FN M98 sporters are real sleepers, selling relatively cheaply through Simpsons right now. Their stocks are plain, but otherwise quality is first rate. I bought this one minus the scope for just $300 a few years ago (later I spent another $150 to add the M70-style side safety.)
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simpsonltd.com
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You got a DEAL!Amen brother! I own two Husqvarna sporters with FN commercial actions from 1948 (R) and 1950 (L) that bridge the changeover from milling to broaching the bolt lug races of their 98 receiver. This reduced machining time, but also reduced the area of the receiver supporting the rear face of the barrel.
View attachment 1165272
BTW, used Husqvarna/FN M98 sporters are real sleepers, selling relatively cheaply through Simpsons right now. Their stocks are plain, but otherwise quality is first rate. I bought this one minus the scope for just $300 a few years ago (later I spent another $150 to add the M70-style side safety.)
View attachment 1165273
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I looked and all the 9.3 X62's were sold out. That round has a greater following than the 35 Whelen outside of the USA.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
I wasn't really looking for another Husqvarna, but that was a price I couldn't resist -- the bore on this 7.92x57 is mint!
Keep the faith over the 9.3s -- I've seen them come through pretty regularly.
Incidentally, another way for anyone interested in owning a genuine FN Mauser at a bargain price is to watch for a deal on rifles branded Sears and Monkey Wards. I'm pretty sure they both offered them at different times, and while they aren't as cheap as they used to be, rifles bearing the JC Higgins or Western Field brand still seem to be more reasonably priced than one marked FN or Browning.
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