Early FN A-5 info...
Hi everybody!
I've been searching on the net for a bit, and I must say, of all the message boards I've come across, I'm very impressed with the expertise of posters here! I know I've come to the right place to ask my questions...
I acquired a Browning FN A-5. I've done a little internet researching on it, but there are still some things I'd like to have clarified. It is stamped on top of the barrel "Browning Arms Company Ogden Utah." according to this article: http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/CTGY/browning-auto-5-history , that would indicate that this one is possibly one of the very first of its kind. The number on the underside of the gun is "46090" and has "FN" stamped above it. According again to that website, this would indicate that is very early. This piece also has "Full 16 special steel" stamped on the side of the barrel.
Am I correct in my assumption that this is the real deal 1st run of the A-5? If any of you experts need more identification, I'll be glad to provide whatever you need.
I would love any information you folks could give me on this gun. Again, according to that website, it is supposedly difficult to pinpoint the date of manufacture in pre-WWII pieces, but I would love to know the actual date, or at least narrow it down as much as I can.
If I were to consider selling this piece, how much could I expect to get for it? The wood is intact, and the bluing has worn off in some areas, but it is very shootable, as I was told by a local gunsmith. What do these things usually go for?
Thank you all so much, I look forward anxiously to reading the replies! I am,
Yr. Obt. Serv't.,
JJ
I've been searching on the net for a bit, and I must say, of all the message boards I've come across, I'm very impressed with the expertise of posters here! I know I've come to the right place to ask my questions...
I acquired a Browning FN A-5. I've done a little internet researching on it, but there are still some things I'd like to have clarified. It is stamped on top of the barrel "Browning Arms Company Ogden Utah." according to this article: http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/CTGY/browning-auto-5-history , that would indicate that this one is possibly one of the very first of its kind. The number on the underside of the gun is "46090" and has "FN" stamped above it. According again to that website, this would indicate that is very early. This piece also has "Full 16 special steel" stamped on the side of the barrel.
Am I correct in my assumption that this is the real deal 1st run of the A-5? If any of you experts need more identification, I'll be glad to provide whatever you need.
I would love any information you folks could give me on this gun. Again, according to that website, it is supposedly difficult to pinpoint the date of manufacture in pre-WWII pieces, but I would love to know the actual date, or at least narrow it down as much as I can.
If I were to consider selling this piece, how much could I expect to get for it? The wood is intact, and the bluing has worn off in some areas, but it is very shootable, as I was told by a local gunsmith. What do these things usually go for?
Thank you all so much, I look forward anxiously to reading the replies! I am,
Yr. Obt. Serv't.,
JJ
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I will try to be of some help to you.
Your question as to if this is part of the "First Run" would be hard
to answer, as "First Run" is to me a relative term and you would have
to decide this.
Serial #1 was shipped from Belgium on 8/26/09.
Records changed in the subsequent years to date in warehouse.
Ending serial # 40000 - Date in warehouse 6/30/1925
Ending serial # 49200 - Date in warehouse 6/30/1926
So this should help you "narrow it down"!
VALUE?
Would need more info and/or pictures to give precise figure.
NRA Benefactor Life Member
Browning Collectors Association0 -
From my understanding and searching for you, my guess is that it is in the first run sent to the us as I found on brownings web site. Here is their web site http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=13
this is for a-5. But all of the first 10,000 guns shipped were stamped that as yours is. I would be interested to also know what you find out and what it is worth I have a 1933 A-5 that was my great grandfathers.
Good Luck,0 -
Hello again!
Thank for all the info so far. I'm wondering if mine really is one of the first 10,000, MJ. And Spring Creek, that is what I was referring to when I said "first run." According to my and your information, the stamp on mine is slightly different from those supposed to be on the first 10k. Mine says "Browning Arms Company Ogden Utah" which is slightly different than what is quoted in the articles.
Knowing that, all I would need is to get the serial number information provided by Spring Creek verified. SC, is there a reference work that you got your information from?
I initially jumped out of my seat when I read the little factoid about the stamp, but then I found out about the serial numbers and looked more closely at the wording. In my ramblings on this forum, I've found more than a few posts on the A-5. One of them says that there is much false information on it out there. Is it possible that the stamp info could be false?
I'm a historian by nature, so the gray area I'm in with this really bugs me. When I get concrete facts from documented sources, I just think it's so neat to have the absolute rock hard info on something. Condiering that, I'd like to apologize if the picky nature of this post offends anyone.
That said, I'm looking forward to some responses! Thank you all so much for helping me on this. I am,
Yr. Obt. Serv't.,
Jeffrey J. (JJ) Przewozniak0
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