How old is my Browning sa 22?

[-Hunter-]

Hi guys, new to the forum and looking for some help.
I just bought a Browning sa 22 and was trying to work out how old it was.

I know it’s a German one made by FN with the serial no. 175502.

It has the magazine loading port on the top of the stock.

It also has the notched rear sight rather than the wheel adjusted ones.

From what I can find on the browning website the starting in 1956 the serial numbers started to contain a letter indicating whether its was a .22 long or a .22 short, so I think it might be older than that?

If anyone could help me narrow it down a little more it would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Camster]

Welcome.
I don't think that you have a Browning, built by FN. You have a FN. A similar gun, but not quite the same. A Browning will say Browning Arms Company on the top of the barrel,along with a US address. A FN will have Fabrique Nationale on top and just Browning's patent on the side of the barrel.
Your gun may have been sold in Germany, but it was built in Belgium.
Dating FN guns is difficult. Browning dating charts don't apply. Toploaders were built for many years.I don't recall if production of the toploader continued after 1956, but I doubt it. Some photos might help for a general idea, as forearm shapes,etc, changed over the years.