/ Back Browning Autoloading Takedown .22 Rifle History The production of the 22 Semi-Auto rifle began in 1914 and was officially imported by Browning in 1956. It is still in production today.   Date Historic Information Serial Number Info 1914-1955 F.N. began production of the 22 Semi-Auto Rifle. No serial numbers are available. 1956-1967 In 1961, the codes for caliber were changed: T=Long Rifle Caliber E=Short Rifle Caliber Example: 8T1000 = A 1968 22 Long Rifle Caliber Semi-Auto Rifle with serial number 1000. T=Long Rifle Caliber E=Short Rifle Caliber 1969-73 1969 started using two digits for the date of manufacture: type of Auto-5: T=Long Rifle Caliber E=Short Rifle Caliber This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000. Example: 69T1000 = A 1969 22 Semi-Auto rifle in 22 Long Rifle Caliber with a serial number of 1000. T=Long Rifle Caliber E=Short Rifle Caliber 1974 In 1974 production of the 22 Semi-Auto was moved to Miroku, Japan. The order of the serial number code was changed to: 1.Serial Number which started at 1000 for each year. 2. Two digit year code 3. Rifle type code: T=Long Rifle Caliber E=Short Rifle Caliber Example: 1000T74 = A 1974 22 Semi-Auto rifle in 22 Long Rifle Caliber with a serial number of 1000. T=Long Rifle Caliber 1976-1997 In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.   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. 22 Semi-Auto Type 146=Grade 1 246=Grade 2 346=Grade 3 646=Grade 6   Serial Number Example: 01001RT646 This would be n 22 Semi-Auto Grade 6 rifle, manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 1000. 1999 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. 22 Semi-Auto Type 212=22 Semi-Auto Rifle   Serial Number Example: 01001NN212 This would be a 22 Semi-Auto Rifle, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.