Browning BPS 12GA Magazine Spring Retainer

In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.

1. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.
2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code:
   Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9, M=0
3. BPS Type:
   192=Hunter Mag. 10ga.
   T92=Stalker Mag. 10 ga.
   102=Hunter Mag. 12 ga. 3 1/2"
   T02=Stalker Mag. 12 ga. 3 1/2"
   152=Hunter 12 ga.
   T52=Stalker 12 ga.
   P52=Pigeion Gr. 12 ga.
   U52=Upland Special 12 ga.
   162=Hunter 20 ga.
   Y62=Youth & Ladies 20 ga.
   B62=Upland 20 ga.
   172=Hunter 28 ga.
   

Serial Number Example:

01001RR152

This would be a BPS Hunter 12 ga., manufactured in 1977 with the serial number 01001.

In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle. This is followed to the present day.

1. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.
2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code:
   Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9, M=0
3. BPS Type: 121=Camo, Hunter, Stalker and Game in all gauges

Serial Number Example:

01001NP121

This would be a BPS shotgun, manufactured in 1998 with the serial number 01001.