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Confounding serial number Auto 5 Browning

scottm21166
I bought a very cool A-5 at a gun show. My own experience with these guns told me this was a very early light 12.
According to my book, first year production fr the light 12 was 1952 but matching the serial number of this one (320xxx) makes it a 1951 model year.
all numbes match on this gun including the solid rib barrel, the forearm and stock and you can tell it had never had a screw turned o it.
I am refinishing the wood because someone put a butt-pad (without cutting the stock) and much of the original finish was worn thru even though it doesn't have any serious dings.
Does anyone have a better source for browning info? I know the book makes mistakes on serial numbers
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • badsbsnf81
    Brownig now offers history letters for @40 USD IIRC.
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  • scottm21166
    I can get the historian on the phone...I just thought one of you guys might know thereby saving him some valuable time and providing some interesting gun facts along the way (not to mention it gave me a chance to brag about my find[:D])
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  • scottm21166
    ok, the answer is;
    the light 12 was introduced in 1948 contrary to brownings "date your browning" site and the blue book of gun values.
    The first light 12's still had the trigger housing type safety as the predisessors made before WWII 1951 was the first year with the modern trigger block safety and I believe the first year they were distinguised with "light twelve" scroll engraved on the receiver and a gold plated trigger.
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