Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this RARE lever-action rifle today for a penny-start auction; this is the U.S. Production TRW Browning BLR Prototype!
Manufactured for Browning by TRW Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, this limited-production rifle represents a short-lived collaboration that ended before reaching full-scale output. Browning initially commissioned fifty rifles for evaluation, but dissatisfaction with the wood-to-metal fit and overall finish led to termination of the contract. While exact production numbers remain uncertain, a TRW employee involved in the project estimated that roughly 700 rifles were built in total. Approximately 250 of these remained stored at TRW’s Euclid plant, with only a few set aside as presentation pieces for employees. Because Browning refused to support or service the rifles, an agreement was reached to remove the Browning name from those in storage—though this example retains its original barrel marking. Serial numbers for the first fifty evaluation rifles fell within the 6K01000–6K02250 range, but assembly was random rather than sequential, resulting in non-consecutive numbering across the run.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Manufactured by TRW Inc. for Browning
Model: BLR Prototype (U.S. Production)
Serial: 6K02206
Date of Manufacture: 1966
Caliber: .243 Win
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 20"
Optics/Sights: Hooded Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Straight Grip Stock
Action: Lever
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Manufactured by TRW Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, for Browning, this BLR Prototype in .243 Winchester represents one of the rare and historically significant early U.S.-made examples preceding full-scale FN production. Browning initially commissioned fifty rifles for evaluation in 1966, but dissatisfaction with the wood-to-metal fit and finish led to the termination of the contract before mass production began. A TRW employee involved in the project later estimated that roughly 700 rifles were completed, with about 250 stored at TRW’s Euclid plant and only a handful distributed as presentation pieces. Since Browning declined to support or repair the rifles, the company required the “Browning” name to be removed from those remaining in storage—making examples like this one, which retain the original barrel marking, exceedingly scarce. Serial numbers for the first fifty evaluation rifles fell within the 6K01000–6K02250 range, though they were assembled randomly rather than sequentially. Between 1966 and 1968, TRW produced approximately 250 BLR rifles, of which only 50 were ever sold to the public. Some prototypes were destroyed, while others were sent to Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal, Belgium, where production resumed in 1970 for a 1971 release—cementing this rifle’s place as one of the earliest and rarest chapters in the BLR’s development history.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: BLR Prototype (U.S. Production)
Serial: 6K02206
Date of Manufacture: 1966
Caliber: .243 Win
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 20"
Optics/Sights: Hooded Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Straight Grip Stock
Action: Lever
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Manufactured by TRW Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, for Browning, this BLR Prototype in .243 Winchester represents one of the rare and historically significant early U.S.-made examples preceding full-scale FN production. Browning initially commissioned fifty rifles for evaluation in 1966, but dissatisfaction with the wood-to-metal fit and finish led to the termination of the contract before mass production began. A TRW employee involved in the project later estimated that roughly 700 rifles were completed, with about 250 stored at TRW’s Euclid plant and only a handful distributed as presentation pieces. Since Browning declined to support or repair the rifles, the company required the “Browning” name to be removed from those remaining in storage—making examples like this one, which retain the original barrel marking, exceedingly scarce. Serial numbers for the first fifty evaluation rifles fell within the 6K01000–6K02250 range, though they were assembled randomly rather than sequentially. Between 1966 and 1968, TRW produced approximately 250 BLR rifles, of which only 50 were ever sold to the public. Some prototypes were destroyed, while others were sent to Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal, Belgium, where production resumed in 1970 for a 1971 release—cementing this rifle’s place as one of the earliest and rarest chapters in the BLR’s development history.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
