Browning A-5 Butt Plate
I recently picked up an A-5 that I believe was made in 1953. (s/n 436xxx) The butt plate looks like it was made of horn and is not in very good shape. I have seen others for sale that are either horn or hard rubber. Does anyone know which years were horn and which were rubber? Are all stocks similar size?
Thanks
Jerry
Thanks
Jerry
0
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Hello Jerry...
Browning never used "horn" for their A5 butt plates. The early guns used hard rubber (that sometimes oxidized to the point it turns a brownish color). A5s of the same era (and gauge) do have the same size buttstocks.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
A "Little Butt/Bit of History"
The original butt plates used for the Auto-5's in 1903 differ
in a number of ways from subsequent production. Although they
look similar to subsequent production they are thicker and are made of
hard rubber. The back of the 1903 butt plate also has a honeycomb
look compared to the smooth back of subsequent production. These
butt plates have the FN logo in the center with Browning Automatic
written around the border.
The next version was in use by 1909 and may have introduced slightly
earlier. This version is made of horn and does not contain Browning
Auromatic around the FN center logo. This version appears to have
been used to at least 1923 when Browning's contract ended with
Remington and imports resumed to the US. This version has been found on
Auto-5's imported to the US as late as 1924.
The third version introduced around 1924 is made of horn with the FN
logo in the center and Browning Automatic written around the border.
This version is frequently found into the 1964 production although
the fourth version has been found on several guns as early as 1962. The
1903 version and the third version all will have Browning Automatic
written in somewhat of a script writing.
One of the problems often encountered with the horn butt plates are
holes eaten into them by parasites. These holes are often referred to
as worm holes (And I agree I've call them that myself and that's what
they "appear" to be)(sc)and can ranges from a single hole to an appearance
like termite eaten wood. This problem is not limited to Auto-5's and can
be found in any of the FN horn butt plates (I personally have it on some
horn butt plates on some of my Double Autos in my collection) (sc).
Some people have reported having a gun for over 20 years without a blemish
to the butt plates. Then one day it is taken out of the cabinet or safe
and a small pile of dust will be noticed where the butt of the gun rested.
These holes are often confused with chipped butt plates from mishandling.
The fourth version is made of plastic material and contains several
differences from the earlier versions. This version has a block style
print for Browning Automatic, contains the circled R for registered trade-
mark, and fewer lines above and below the FN logo.
"Similar Size" is a "Relative Term" and although similar, there are
enough variations in fitting that you will want to find a horn replacement
in as large (width x height) when searching so that it can be properly fit, to
your Auto-5.
If I can find any of my extra horn plates that I've got put away (someplace)
and since the tornado this spring, most likely "Misplaced"--- I will get
a measurement for you.
Hope this helps.
Merry Christmas
NRA Benefactor Life Member
Browning Collectors Association0 -
Thanks for the History! It looks like mine is a third version and I will try to replace it with the same. Mine has several of the "worm holes" and a chip on each end. Luckily, the rest of the gun is in much better condition. I will be watching fleabay for the appropriate one.
Love those old Brownings
Jerry0
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