Questions on Browning Light 12 A-5
Howdy, I have a "light 12" auto5 Browning . Its a Japan model. I am wondering How old of gun it is. Its in very good Cond. , has a gold trigger and square pistol grip. The serial # is : 03161px211 : I bought it in 1998.(barely used) Anywhere I could find out the date of manufacture? and what do you think its worth, It has some "hunting marks" on the wood and very little bluing wear....90 - 95% or so. I don't use it much. Also, does Browning make the Auto-5 anymore, and if not, Will they go up in value??? thanks
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I believe that the PX portion of your guns serial number indicates that is was manufactured in 1983. Browning has discontinued the A5 and the last shipments were made in early 1998. They will no doubt go up in value but I'll be curious to see whether the Belgian or Japanese guns appreciate faster. The Belgian Brownings are always the most popular with collectors but the Miroku made guns are the only ones that can handle steel shot. Collector vs. shooter, which A5's will win out?
Mark T. Christian
Edited by - mark christian on 09/24/2002 21:56:120 -
Red - Mark has nailed the date...I sent you the Browning site where you can get some date info in response to your other posting...its helpful, but I found it a little convoluted and had to make notes of my own to straighten it out in my thick head...in your s/n string 03161PX211, the PX=83 and the 211=Light 12...Browning changed lots of their codes throughout their history but the Alpha=Numeric code recently followed is this:
Z=1 Y=2 X=3 W=4 V=5 T=6 R=7 P=8 N=9 M=0
151=Mag 12
161=Mag 20
211=Light 12
231=Light 20
Good luck. Best, Jim
221=Sweet 16
timbroman@aol.com0 -
Red - As to value, it's tough to determine...search the GB auction lots...use "Browning 12" and you should begin to get a feel for the value...has that 1983 A-5 got screw in-chokes or is it a fixed-choke barrel? Mark is right regarding the Belgian/Jap (pre-1976/post-1976) differential in value. I have a Belgian Light 12 with vent rib, round knob in 26" modified choke barrel...it is a beautiful shotgun and a wonderful shooter and has appreciated somewhat in value since I've owned it. However, last year I bought a Jap Mag 12 A-5 with Invector+ chokes just so I'd have a gun capable of shooting the hard non-lead shot for ducks and geese...it is not so pretty with its black synthetic stocks and matte black finish on the metal. So, different folks value what they need or think they need. It's hard to tell. Best, Jim
timbroman@aol.com0 -
Thanks everyone. TimBroman (spelling?) My light 12 is a fixed choke. It has 2 astrics on the barrel. Does that mean Modified?? I believe the previous owner said it was a modified , I'm pretty sure it is. As I said the gun is in very nice condition. It has some "stock Dings" but still very clean. (and a strip of silver on the barrel from recoil) Any guesses anyone, on what its current value is?? It seems to me I payed real close to $500.00 back in early 1998. Its a peach of a shotgun. I shoot it a time or 2 a year, other than that It sits next to the model 12 in retirement. 0 -
Red - That is correct, 2 asterisks = modified...as to the $500.00 estimate, that is at the top end of the range where I am for a Japanese A-5 in tip-top shape with invector choke tubes...it might would sell for that here but not real fast. Best, Jim
timbroman@aol.com0
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