Browning A-5 Serial Number

eagleintexas13

September 18, 2012 07:35

I am looking at an A-5, and the owner tells me the serial number is "R" and below that 12054. It is a Belgium 16 ga, but I cannot find any reference to an "R", other than a two letter code for year of manufacture, in my Browning books. Can anyone help me identify it?

Thanks,
Arnold

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  rufe-snow

  September 18, 2012 09:35

  It doesn't appear to be correct? Try to get photos of the serial number to verify. The only A5's sold in the U.S. with a serial number range that low, would date to the early 1900's.
  
  Might have originally been a gun sold in Europe in the 50's and brought back by a G.I.?

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  Bert H.

  September 18, 2012 11:36

  The "R" prefix is correct, and it was used on the standard weight Auto-5 16-Ga guns in the years 1953 - 1957, whereas the Sweet Sixteen guns in the same time frame used an "S" prefix.
  
  Serial number R12054 was manufactured in 1954.

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  eagleintexas13

  September 20, 2012 13:09

  Thank you Bert! Where did you fine information on the "R" prefix for their serial numbers?
  
  Arnold

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  Bert H.

  September 21, 2012 05:50

  quote:Originally posted by eagleintexas13
  Thank you Bert! Where did you fine information on the "R" prefix for their serial numbers?
  
  Arnold
  
  
  Browning Sporting Arms of Distinction: 1903-1992 by Matt Eastman
  
  I believe that it is also in the current edition of the Blue Book.

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