The production of the BAR high power rifle began in 1967 and lasted through 1992. The BAR Mark II series was introduced in 1993 and is still in production.

Historic Information Serial Number Info
1967-75

In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture:

M=BAR High Power Rifle

This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000.

Example: 69M1000 = A 1969 BAR High Power rifle with a serial number of 1000.

M=BAR High Power Rifle
1976-1992

In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.

  1. BAR Type: 137=BAR High Power Rifle
  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. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.

Serial Number Example:

137RT01001

This would be a BAR High Power Rifle, manufactured in 1977 with the serial number 01001.
1993-1997

In 1993 Browning introduced the BAR Mark II series.

  1. BAR Mark II Type:
    107=BAR Mark II Safari
    1D7=BAR Mark II Lightweight
  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. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.

Serial Number Example:

107NX01001

This would be a BAR Mark II Safari, manufactured in 1993 with the serial number 01001.
1998

In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle.

  1. BAR Mark II Type: 311=BAR Mark II
  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. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.

Serial Number Example:

311NN01001

This would be a BAR Mark II rifle, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.
Browning BAR Mark II - Steel Receiver
Browning BAR Mark II Lightweight - Aluminum Alloy Receiver

After using the above chart click on one of the following links to be directed to the appropriate category for your Browning BAR

  • Browning BAR Rifle Type I - Manufactured 1968 - 1978
  • Browning BAR Rifle Type II - Manufactured 1979 - 1992
  • Browning BAR MK II Safari - Manufactured 1993 - present (Steel Receiver)
  • Browning BAR MK I Lightweight - Manufactured 1993 - present (Alloy Receiver)