Age of a Browning BDA .45

[Jimfern]

I picked up an excellent condition Browning yesterday and was wondering when it was made. The seller told me he bought in new in 1978. The serial number is 395RP4xxx.

I went to Browning's website and while they have some information on the .380 BDA model which is made in Italy, they don't have anything on my W. German model. I was hoping to get a pdf of the owner's manual, but I'm guessing I can just find a Sig P220 one.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I used the 380 BDA guide on Browning's web site and saw that RP = 1978. I would still appreciate a link to a pdf of the bda manual if anyone has it. Thanks.

Browning is going to send me a copy. Sorry I didn't do more poking around before asking for help.

 

[Ron James]

Easy to date, they only made them between 1977 and 1980. Has to be with in the year range

 

[1KPerDay]

Cool pistol. Congrats

 

[Steven Mace]

Jimfern, try the link below. Hope this helps!

http://stevespages.com/pdf/browning_bda.pdf

Steve

 

[Jimfern]

Thanks.

Thanks Steve, that manual appears to be for a BDM. I did notice that when I took the grips off to clean the pistol, 78 was stamped on one, so I'm sold on 1978 as the date of manufacture.

Hopefully Browning will send the owner's manual next week. I did notice that one of the magazines has a nice blue finish but the other has a phosphate type finish. Other than the finish, they look exactly the same with the same .45 Auto stamp on the bottom.

Does anyone know if the BDA 45 came with only one magazine?

 

[highlander 5]

IIRC the Browning BDA pistols were made by Sig for Browning so if you can find a Sig manual you should be good to go.

 

[Jimfern]

I got a copy of the owner's manual from Browning yesterday. Thanks again to all who offered information.