I have a B 78 that does not followed the standard serial number methodology on the browning web site. Their site says the W (for B78) should be the last character in the serial number and should be preceded by the last two digits of the year of manufacture. My serial number is 1586W37. I assume it was manufactured between 1973 and 1975. Can anyone help identify the year of manufacture?
Hello and welcome to the site. Browning’s website is full of contradictory, incomplete, and wrong information. In this case, I’d say just incomplete. I usually refer to the NRA website, but it’s silent on the B78. If I had to guess, I’d say the 37 stands for 1973. Browning used that convention on the B2000 shotgun produced back then. There should be a date code on the barrel to check. Here’s a list: http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
Thank you for your reply and for your help. I suspected 1973 but had nothing to base it on. I will check for the proof mark on the barrel tonight. I have also found anomalies to Browning's serial number dating on some other guns that I own. This B78 (.30-06) is probably my favorite rifle though.
You have other Brownings? This site should be helpful: http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940941/serialization-date of manufacture.pdf