After 30 years, I inherit a Browning A5

[Patrick L]

I posted this two years ago on CastBoolits, another forum where I am active. I thought you might enjoy the story though. This is a bit long, so I apologize in advance.

As a kid, one of our neighbors was a cranky old guy named Joe. He was a dear friend to my dad, and in fact we called him Uncle Joe even though he wasn't really a relation. He was really cranky, gruff, and frankly quite scary to a little kid. Turns out he really was an old softie with a heart of gold, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Joe had some guns. When he found out I was into guns and hunting, he would have me clean his guns from time to time. One of the guns he had was a Belgian 20 gauge A5, a Magnum 20 with a 26 inch IC barrel. I loved that gun from the first time I ever handled it.

Now we lived in a very populated suburban town. Discharging of firearms is of course prohibited. But to a cranky old guy who grew up during the Depression, that is a mere technicality. And when a rabbit is eating your garden, well by god you shoot that rabbit! Of course then you need to get the gun out of sight quick.

Any how, one day back in the mid 80s (I really can't recall the exact year) I'm working out in the garage. I hear a "BANG" and about 10 seconds later a stream of profanity from Joe's property, about 200 yards away. About 10 minutes later Joe shows up, looking very glum. "Patrick, I broke my gun" he says. Turns out he shot at a rabbit, and in his haste to get his gun stashed, he dropped it on his flagstone walkway. Two pieces broke off the toe of the stock, one about 3 inches, and a tiny one about 1/2 inch from the very tip. He couldn't find the tiny piece. Even then I was farting around refinishing and fixing stocks, so he asked if I could do anything. I said I'd try.

Well, if i do say so I did a pretty good job. I glued the piece back on, cut the stock and fitted a 1 inch pad to make up for the missing piece. I then refinished the stock and did a pretty decent job of matching the forend. To say Joe was pleased was an understatement. He insisted he had to pay me for doing that. I refused, telling him how much I enjoyed doing it. He persisted more, getting more and more angry and agitated. Remember, he was cranky and stubborn, even when he was ecstatic. Finally, I tell him this. I say "Joe, you don't have any kids. How about some day, when you are done with it, give me the gun. I'd love to have it some day, I'm in no hurry and that would mean far more to me." Bear in mind, he was in his 60s at the time, I was in my late teens or early 20s. He thought about it for a second, then said OK. Well, that was all that was ever said. Every 4 or 5 years since then, I would clean the gun for him. I would shoot a round or two of skeet, clean it, and give it back. I don't think he ever shot it (other than at rabbits in his garden, that is.) And that went on for about 30 years.

Fast forward to the present. Joe passed away in the summer of 2017. And since my Dad (the only one who I thought knew the story) passed 5 years ago, I figured that was that. Imagine my surprise when, that September, I received a letter from Joe's attorney. He had actually put this in his will, that I was to receive this gun! I was really blown away that he did that. This really was a story 30 years in the making. This gun now resides next to my 1966 Sweet 16 A5 and is a very cherished addition to the family. Again, I'm sorry this was long winded, but I thought some of you might enjoy listening.

Here are the pair. Uncle Joe's 20 is the bottom one



And here are two pics of my stock toe repair

[Maddog 521]

Now that was a wonderful story and your fix is amazing. Thanks

[Farmer17]

I would still love an old A5 they fit me like a glove, but the really nice ones are more than I want to pay. Both of those really look sharp!!

[Patrick L]

Farmer17,

Thanks! Although I took care of the 20 for many years, the Sweet 16 above it was purchased in 2016, 1 year before I inherited the 20. So technically it was the first one I owned.

I refer to it as my "3rd 50th Birthday present to myself" because I bought three guns that year, each supposedly as my 50th birthday present. Ironically, the 16 in fact does date to 1966, so it's as old as me! I didn't know that when I bought it though. I got it because a Sweet 16 with a rib was a bucket gun I thought I'd never find at a price I could afford. This was was priced right because it was drilled and tapped for a scope mount, but very well done and it really didn't affect the gun's shootability.

[Krogen]

Wonderful story! It's great to read of the honor and respect that you and your Uncle Joe had for each other. Thanks for telling the tale.

[crsides]

thanks for sharing that. Beautiful story

[shouldazagged]

That's a touching story, and some splendid stock repair. Uncle Joe was a good man, and you are too.

[gwpercle]

I really enjoyed that awesome story....thanks for posting.

Stories are what makes firearms interesting. I need to write down some of them that go with my guns...otherwise they get lost over time .
Gary

[Patrick L]

gwpercle,

You are so right. I like to say that I don't own a ton of guns, but every one has a story.

[woodsltc]

A great story....thanks for sharing the story and the pics.

Don

[n c rod]

Great story. I have a gun collection and no children. At 70 years old, I really need to have a will and place some of my favorite guns to some special people in my life. Your joy from Joe's thoughtful act has motivated me to get out of my LAZYBOY and get my will completed. Thanks for sharing!

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Good people. Great story.

[American1776]

I have my dad’s A5 in 20. He’s still around. Gold colored trigger and engraving and all.

[catadjuster]

Very nice work on the stock repair.

[Oscar Zulu]

Great story!
I have hunted with an A-5 20 mag since about the 7th grade, '77 or so. When the first generation of steel shot came out for waterfowl, I stepped up to the Same gun..a Jap model, In 12 mag. The advent of Hevi-Shot took me back to the 20! Pheasants, turkeys, ducks and geese. 1 1/4 0z of #4 or #6. (if you take the top 3 rings of the stack, its a fine dove gun, too)!
When Ca. mandated non-toxic shot for all hunting this year, I was afraid to use it for doves, so I used my recently passed fathers Benelli 20. My shooting "struggled" as a result. They sold me a lot of shells....
My father had one he got for his 16th birthday, both grandfathers shot 12s, one since market hunting was legal.

OZ