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Browning A-5

RixTricky
I have a Belgium Browning A-5 with serial number 7xxx. According to the Browning site this gun was part of the ORIGINAL 10,000 ordered by Browning in 1903. I can believe it. I have never seen one even close to it. Unfortunately time and various owners have not been good to the old girl. The wood is NOT original and some of the internal parts are missing. I have 30 yrs experience restoring doubles but "0" with the Autos. Where can I find early era parts for this piece of history? Failing in that where can I get the spec. drawings for the parts so I can make them in my shop. Any ideas will help. Even pictures of the prewar, World War I models would help. The upper and lower tang appear to have been on a straight grip stock!! I'll make the stock if I can see what one looks like. Some of you collectors PLEASE HELP me.
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8 comments

Date Votes
  • RixTricky
    Can anyone tell me more about this 12ga?
    Top of the barrel marked Bbowning Automatic Arms Co Ogden Utah USA.
    Receiver marked Fabrique-Nationale-Herstal-Liege.Belgium-Browning's-Patents. Oct9 1900- Dec17 1901-Sept30 1902-June 16 1903
    4 digit SN# 23xx
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  • nord
    I don't have the reference handy, but as memory serves...

    I believe you have a Remington Browning A-5. It's the real thing, but made in Ilion, NY during WW2. That's why no FN or "Made in Belgium".

    If I'm correct (and I certainly think I am), the gun has no more or less value than its Belgian siblings.

    Nord
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  • duckhunter
    WHAT ARE THE MARKINGS ON THE BARREL?? WHERE IS THE SAFETY AND DOES YOUR GUN HAVE A MAG CUT-OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE ON THE RECIEVER??

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • Bert H.
    RixTricky...

    It is not a Remington made A-5. Those have a serial number prefix of A, B, or C.

    The code/serial number you give indicates a Lightweight 20 ga. made in 1960. I have included a brief excerpt from one of my references that should help you and anyone else who is interested.

    From 1958, A-5 serial numbers are preceded by the year of manufacture code. In this system, the first numeral is the date of manufacture, the next figure is the model code. An example, 8M is the standard weight made in 1958, 8G is the lightweight model.
    MODEL NUMBERS A5
    M--STANDARD WEIGHT
    G--LIGHT WEIGHT
    V--12 GAUGE MAGNUM
    S--SWEET SIXTEEN
    Z--LIGHT 20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE MAGNUM

    The same date code is found for 1968 as 1958, but the bottom of the grip usually has the flat knob on the 1968, the rounded knob on the 1958.

    From 1969, the date code has two digits, as 69M for a standard weight gun made in 1969. In 1969, the standard weight gun was dropped from production. For the product code, which was actually the model of the gun, four digits were used:
    MAGNUM 12 GAUGE--1501
    LIGHT 12 GAUGE--2101
    SWEET 16--2201
    MAGNUM 20 GAUGE--1601
    LIGHT 20 GAUGE --2301

    After 1975, only three digits were used:
    MAGNUM 12 GAUGE-- 151
    LIGHT 12 GAUGE -- 211
    SWEET 16 -- 221
    MAGNUM 20 -- 161
    LIGHT 20 -- 231

    For production dates after 1969, see the Date Index in the front of this book.

    Thus, a gun with number 1501RT1234 is an A-5, 12 gauge magnum, made in 1976 (see Date Index) and is serial number 1234. After 1975, the number would be 151RT1234, or an A5-12 Magnum, made in 1976, serial number 1234. Serials were to begin with number 1000 each year


    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • nord
    Go with Bert on this one. As I said, my reference was unavailable and my memory has been affected by sun spots.

    That there is no indicataion of point of manufacture is strange. That's something that's been stamped on Brownings almost from the beginning of time.

    Bert - Thanks for the correction. You're making me look bad![:)]

    Nord
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  • RixTricky
    Nord and/or Bert,

    Is the place of manufacture stamped in a specific place? Forgive my ignorance.

    Thanks,

    Rick
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  • nord
    Most usually the tube. Butt plate on really old guns will bear "FN" design.

    Nord
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  • Bert H.
    Rick...

    The barrel on your A-5 should be stamped "St. Louis, Missouri and Montreal P.Q." if it is original to the gun.

    Nord... not trying to make you look bad (but you knew that)[:D] Sunspots? Have you been standing out in them solar flares again[?][;)]

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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