Browning Medalist or Challenger 22 Pistol

Question
Hi, I have what I thought was a Browning Medalist in a black presentation case with the weights, tool, and manual. It has the heavy barrel with a ventilated rib and adjustable front sight.   The serial number is 303xxU3S. Would like to confirm that this is a Medalist rather than the Challenger which normally has a "U" in its s.n.  Either way it's is superb pistol.

Thanks, Mike

Answer
Mike,

I have seen a few Medalists with the serial number having both the U and S. You are correct that the U means Challenger. The story I have heard is that Fabrique Nationale had difficulty making the Medalist frame for a short period of time. They had an ample supply of challenger frames that were already stamped with the U in the serial number. To meet production needs for the Medalist, they decided to utilize the Challenger frames and stamped an S on the end of the serial number to deliniate the difference between a challenger and a Medalist. I don't know this to be fact, but it does stand to reason.
Hope this helps.

Jim