I have also used some information from an article "The Buck Mark Story" written by Clair Rees.

The semi auto .22 caliber pistol originated from the design of the Colt Woodsman by John M. Browning in 1914. The design featured a half-length slide that separated from the barrel to extract and eject expended cartridges. In 1961 Bruce Browning made changes to his grandfather's design to reduce production costs and had the new pistols manufactured in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale (FN). The first model was called the Nomad, the second was the Challenger and the third was the Medalist. All three were in production simultaneously.

First, have a dose of salt available when reading Rees' article, particularly when he talks about the Belgium Browning .22LR pistols. (This comment is from personal experience in trying to write an accurate description of the variation of the Belgium Browning Challenger. So keep the salt shaker handy when reading any of my posts.)

Second, Bruce Browning's first design was the Medalist. I understand that he used a heavy High Standard barrel on his proto type. Somewhere here on RFC there should be a photo of his proto type that is on display at the Browning Museum in Ogden, Utah. The Nomad was the first produced for commercial sales, not the proto type.
SO

 

SO, as I do more research I am finding the the Clair Rees article has some inconsistencies to it. That is why I am recruiting help from you guys that own the pistols in question.

That is good info on the Medalist. Give me more!

 

From my Dad's European manual that came with his '64 Target...

Nomad in Europe was named "Standard" and Challenger was "Target".

His manual, dated 63, shows that what we call the Nomad was already available in Europe, with the same differences from what we call the Challenger. It was definitely not a parts bin special as you have supposed.

Both guns were available in either barrel length.

Internationals?

 

Link to photo of Bruce Browning's proto type Medalist.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234030&highlight=medalist+proto+type

SO

 

Thanks. I found another thread with the same pic.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201788&page=3

 

Thanks aprilian, I think the suggestion about parts guns is referring to those produced in 74-75 for European sales. I will investigate further.

 

Have à read at this. It might explain some differences between European and US FN pistols going back the 1960's - 1980's.

http://users.telenet.be/vanbeeumen/Guns/The_Belgian_FN.pdf

 

The English language version of TIR was TARGET.

 

Just shows that the same pistol has various names, depending where you live on this planet. Then take into account that depending where it was manufactured the engraving is different. )

 

I am still working on this but life is getting in the way. I am in the process of incorporating the info you guys have supplied. Do you think including pictures would be useful? Anyone have a pic of the Practice 150 I can use?

 

Here is the complete family, or at least a small part.

 

Turkered1, This is a great forum and everyone enjoys sharing their information to help others enjoy the sport of shooting and especially the collecting of Browning rimfire pistols, but I personally am hesitant to keep posting information on the Belgian Browning .22's for someones gain in writing a book, probably for profit when they seem not to purchase enough of the product to gain any hands on knowledge. Reason being, I personally have purchased nearly 250 Belgian Browning .22 pistols, having studied them extensively to gain the knowledge you want someone to give you to publish an article, book or whatever. I still do not consider myself ready to do the book, but from your short synopsis you have a long way to go and many additions and corrections. I certainly am not the only one on this forum with extensive knowledge and they may feel the same, maybe not. As you will learn I am always sharing very technical knowledge on the variations of these .22's along with pictures, probably a good start on a book already posted, but that information is not for someone else's financial gain. (Many years of research and many dollars invested.) I am not trying to be rude and maybe I have taken your post in the wrong context, but everything published in previous books on these pistols have many incorrect facts with a shortfall of accurate and complete information. It appears you may not have even read them, if not I would do so first. Mark (69 years - 27 months Recon Marine, also 2nd Marine Division Rifle and Pistol Team - Europe to Vietnam) " I do appreciate your service Bubble Head"

 

Turkered1, This is a great forum and everyone enjoys sharing their information to help others enjoy the sport of shooting and especially the collecting of Browning rimfire pistols, but I personally am hesitant to keep posting information on the Belgian Browning .22's for someones gain in writing a book, probably for profit when they seem not to purchase enough of the product to gain any hands on knowledge.

Mark2506,
I have no intention of publishing a book or even a magazine article. This is purely for anyone who likes the Browning .22 pistol and would like a good starting point to build a collection. This is a hobby for me and I thought I would share it for whomever would like to use it. Please reread my introduction again about why I started this.

I have searched for written information on these fine pistols, but have only came up with a couple of articles and some books on John Browning's firearms. I have not found anything specific for the .22 pistols. Maybe my research skills suck, but I am hesitant to put down money on a book that may only mention these in passing. If you have knowledge on books specific to the .22, I would greatly appreciate recommendations.

I have though bought written information that has helped me discover many of the Buck Mark models and variations. I just started to look into the pre-Buck Mark era pistols.

I personally have purchased nearly 250 Belgian Browning .22 pistols, having studied them extensively to gain the knowledge you want someone to give you to publish an article, book or whatever. I still do not consider myself ready to do the book, but from your short synopsis you have a long way to go and many additions and corrections. I certainly am not the only one on this forum with extensive knowledge and they may feel the same, maybe not. As you will learn I am always sharing very technical knowledge on the variations of these .22's along with pictures, probably a good start on a book already posted, but that information is not for someone else's financial gain. (Many years of research and many dollars invested.)

I have only purchased 10 Brownings and so far only 1 Belgian made, so my knowledge level is insignificant compared to yours. You, and others like you, are exactly who I would like to sit down with and pick your brain so I can further expand my knowledge about these fine pistols. Guys like you have the hands on experience that you cannot get from a book.

I am not trying to be rude and maybe I have taken your post in the wrong context, but everything published in previous books on these pistols have many incorrect facts with a shortfall of accurate and complete information. It appears you may not have even read them, if not I would do so first.

Again, if you have recommendations on reading material I would greatly appreciate it. But, I am not willing to buy something that is 1000 pages and only has 1-2 pages on these pistols. Maybe I could go to the library to read that, but not to purchase.

Also, note that I am not claiming this information as my material. I have tried to give credit to those of you that have posted info. I will continue to do so. And, I am not trying to write a technical manual on the Browning .22. I started this to as a personal quest to determine how many variations are out there and when they were introduced.

Thanks for your comments and I hope you will reconsider helping on this effort.

 

Tuckerd1 - here is a thread I started over two years ago I suggest you check out. http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=530347
I didn't have any aspirations to write a book either, just have a thread with basic information regarding the Belgian guns in a sticky as the questions that most people ask are buried in the forum and frustrating at BEST to try to search for. Good luck with your efforts.

 

Tuckerd1 - here is a thread I started over two years ago I suggest you check out. http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=530347
I didn't have any aspirations to write a book either, just have a thread with basic information regarding the Belgian guns in a sticky as the questions that most people ask are buried in the forum and frustrating at BEST to try to search for. Good luck with your efforts.

That was the thread where we asked two of our resident experts (Mark and Sea Otter) to put together all the info in one place. They may not have the time to do it, but if we could get the moderator to start a thread for the info and have him organize Mark's and SO's info then everyone would benefit.

 

Tuckerd1 - my suggestion to you would be to split up the stickies (stickys?) into two or three groups, with the Belgian guns being the first. The threads can be cumbersome to parse through if they get too large. Another suggestion is that you become a Team RFC member as it allows you more control over the thread. You also have somewhat better tools to search this forum for info. Also, if you click on someone's name you will have access to all or most of member's previous posts. There is a ton of information already here if you have the time to sift through it and you don't need anyone's permission to repost it. You can join the BCA and there may be some information there in their newsletters but I honestly don't know if it's worth it. In the end you may not get all of the minutiae about these guns, but that was not the point anyway. ANY sticky with a collection of accurate information is better than nothing, which is what we have now.

 

I have made major changes to my original post. I am sure there is a lot of room for discussion on things that may need to be added or changed. All comments are welcome.

 

MedalistThe Medalist was sold in a presentation case with a cartridge holder, three different barrel weights and a dry fire tool.

I think I have one of these guns setting around the house,,, somewhere,,,

I was wondering if there is a pic of the mentioned "dry fire tool" ??

I thought is only had a built in dry fire lever,,,,

 

The "Dry Fire" mechanism is activated by the safety lever, by moving it fore or aft. Sometimes it can be a pain to deactivate.

By the way, I appreciate everyone who adds to the info on these fine pistols. The more accurate info we can put on this forum, the better off everyone who has these pistols will be.

I would like to see a one stop shop sticky with the history, maintenance, magazines, parts etc.

Sweetmk, that is one fine looking Medalist.:bthumb:

 

My guess is that it was built in 1963.

How close am I?

 

M2HB, It will either be a 1962 are earlier 1963 from the dish type rear sight. Also the magazine with the "pot metal" follower button was used in '62-'63. So you had a good observation. To answer the earlier question: I would say after the dry-fire mechanism is engaged the "dry-fire tool" would be ones forefinger ! ! Mark
Tuckered1, Just to add to the confusion there were 139 Nomads made in 1961! If you will E-mail me (markhannahjr@aol.com), give me a phone number, I'll call and give you a little better info. As SO, I believe, was trying to say earlier some of the readings are not so (entirely) correct. We both have many hands on examples and have studied these models in great detail. Mark

 

Mark, I will be in touch. I appreciate any info we can add to make this list as accurate as possible. I corrected the dates on the Nomad.

Don

 

Mark, you are correct. There were 1962 Medalists, but not as many as 1963. I don't know exactly when they changed rear sights, but it must have been around mid 1963. That is why I guessed 1963.

 

Tuckerd1,

Informative project. A learning experience, gaining knowledge. Several of us have been there and found that some before us had only limited information available and their presentation incomplete.

I don't known your source for the edited (red) information on serialization for the Nomad, Challenger and Medalist. If this came from Browning's web site, I suggest discard it and start over. With the possibility of very few exceptions for all years, 1961 into early 1976, (yes 1976), the serial number came first, then the model designation, then the date. There are several post here on RFC regarding this. [I'm not saying all models were produced in early 1976.]

Other things.

The ending date of production of the Nomad is incorrect, at least for shipment to the US. Should be 1973. FN apparently did some "clean up" for 1974 and 1975 for FN marked Nomads. I have a 1975 FN marked Nomad, imported by Simpson. The frame on Nomad changed from alloy to steel in mid 1966 between serial numbers 60229P6 and 61599P6.

When 1969 serial numbers went from single digit to two digits they started well before 1000. At or before 128U69. This is the earliest '69 serial number I show.

The Challenger II production continued into 1983, I have one. The Challenger III production begin in 1982. I have one. I have never seen this stated in any reference material. Also it is my understanding that the C-III production continued into 1985. I don't have one to verify this.

Much of the above information is posted here on RFC. It is scattered around and sometimes a bit hard to find. Your efforts to get it consolidated is admirable. Keep up the good work.

SO

 

Tuckerd1,
I don't known your source for the edited (red) information on serialization for the Nomad, Challenger and Medalist. If this came from Browning's web site, I suggest discard it and start over. With the possibility of very few exceptions for all years, 1961 into early 1976, (yes 1976), the serial number came first, then the model designation, then the date.

When 1969 serial numbers went from single digit to two digits they started well before 1000. At or before 128U69. This is the earliest '69 serial number I show.
SO

I changed this info. THX SO.

My info came from the Browning webpage. I guess they can't even get it right.
http://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/nomad-22-caliber-pistol.html

 

VH, Thanks for the kind words. Also to M2HB for his earlier post.

BCA again had a display and gun show in Ogden this past summer. This time I took a smaller display of ten Belgium Challenger to show the variations of the Challengers. Yes, you can show most of the variations of the Belgium Challenger with only ten pistols. I updated and made some corrections for my Variation of the Browning Challenger. Many of the corrections and additional information came from posts by others here on RFC. Some here are just more observant than I am.

I met Mark2506 and many other BCA members.

Went through the Browning Museum a couple of time. Someone at the front desk offered a few of us a tour of the basement of the Browning Museum. All the stuff not on display is stored there. Another fellow short changed that just as we started down the stairs. (@#$%@#@ him).
SO

 

I have heavily edited post # 1 of this thread because of many inconsistencies and errors. Corrections are shown in red.

I originally thought I knew what I was doing. LOL! After 2 years of being schooled by several members here on RFC, and through my own research, I have determined I didn't know diddly! My corrections may contain information that some of you still disagree with. I am open to any comments you may want to give. Additional corrections will be made as comments are made and discussed.

 

Also, because the post exceeded 20000 characters some Buck Mark information was deleted. If additional info is to be added to post #1, things will have to be reevaluated.

See below:

Buck Mark Options Through 1997
In 1991 the Browning catalog listed Available Options for the Target, Varmint, Silhouette, Unlimited

Silhouette Match:
• Shell deflector (not available until mid 1991)
• Forearm: contoured walnut for Varmint
• Grips: contoured walnut, right- and left-hand
• Grips: molded rubber, ambidextrous
• Grips: impregnated laminate, ambidextrous
• Barrels: 5.5", 10", and 14"
• Standard sight bases
• Sight hoods, front and rear

In 1992 the Browning catalog listed the above Available Options for the Target Varmint, Silhouette,

Unlimited Silhouette Match, plus added:
• Grips: contoured walnut wraparound grips

The above options make it possible to have at least 12 more variations just for the different grips alone.

*In 1992 the Pro Target rear sight is used on all models. It replaced the micro adjustable on the Standard/Plus and the

Millet Gold Cup 360 SIL on the Target, Field, Varmint, Silhouette, Unlimited Silhouette Match

In 1998 the Buck Mark serial number was changed and started with 515NP01001. The date of manufacture was a two digit code

as follows: Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9, M=0. This serial number and date code are still currently in use.

These models and variations will not be discussed in this document.

 

What do I have I did not see a 93 production

 

so which one shoots the best and most reliable?

Anyone know?

 

Thanks so much for all your work on this. The information is as fascinating as it is informative. I recently acquired a FN Browning International II in what i can only describe as mint condition. It is a shooter and I am very much enjoying it. It came with one mag. Can anyone suggest a place to purchase another, preferably a Canadian address as that is my area? All the best folks.
David

 

Congratulations on acquiring such a fine pistol.

Original magazines are very expensive here in the states. They may be cheaper in Canada.

Some folks have had decent luck with Triple K mags but they are known to be less that wonderful. Years ago the follower button wouldn’t activate the slide hold open device. The improved the mags. The one I bought is about 1/16” too short and I have to keep pressure up on the mag for it to feed.

Years ago I started converting Colt Cadet mags to work in the Belgium Browning 22 pistols. This was back in the days when I could get Cadet mags for $10 each at CDNN. Those days are long gone. I would try a Triple K mag. For the money you have little to lose.

 

Thanks! In 86 I purchased new a Belgium HP, ($399.99) and a .22 at the same time to plink with. A Challenger II.($185.99) for some unknown reason
never used it much at all? Got heavy into Sigs, Glocks and S&W wheel guns. So its LNIB. Maybe 200 rnds. While not super collectable, it is all steel and is finished well.
Must not have been a big seller, as I bought it new 2 yrs after its production run.
Turns out it was one of the last produced of this model in 83 based on the ser. #655PX016XX. So maybe some were made in 83?
Even the Browning website said it ended in 82? https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/challenger-ii-iii-22-caliber-pistol.html
Probably the only interesting feature on this one.
Was thinking about trading it recently for something else. As it has been pretty much in the safe for 35 yrs. But have decided to keep it thanks
to your write up. Not many steel frames semi autos being made these days. And doubt that will change.
I will just keep it and maybe shoot it now and then. Looking back, it was probably the only steel semi auto I purchased new until recently.
In a sea of alum, polymer, scandium etc its nice to have some weight..And thats kind of cool in it self.

 

Nice pistol.

The Challenger II wasn’t real popular. It has a cast steel frame and was the last Browning 22 pistol that had a steel frame. The design evolved into the Challenger III which is very close to the Buck Mark.

I would rather have the Challenger II over the Challenger III or the Buck Mark. Browning figured out that they could make the pistol cheaper with an alloy frame and it would last if they used a buffer in it.

The barrel on the Challenger II won’t quite work on the III or the BM.

Your pistol looks quite nice and appears to be a “keeper” to me.