1958 Browning A5 12 Light Question

[Randy]

Hello all,
I've always liked these Brownings. I found one at a local shop with the vented rib. It's from 1958 and the bluing is a solid 98%. The wood is very nice and hasn't been cut. The only thing that gives me pause is the forend has a light coat of added varnish to it. It's not in the checkering at all. How much would that detract from the guns value?

He's asking $675 for it.

Thanks,

Randy

 

[jlrhiner]

Are you sure it's original? The wood has to match front and back. It's fairly common to crack the original and replace it at the gun show. I would offer $350.00 for it, knowing that I'd spend about $400.00 more replacing the wood. Just me.

 

[chief38]

In my neck of the woods a 98% vintage A5-light twelve would sell in the high $800+ range and so if the only problem is the fore end, I would think the price is about right. You might try and bargain your way down $100 or so, but to strip and refinish a fore end is not a real big job. Just make sure it's just the varnish and the fore end is not cracked. They are thin and it is not uncommon to find a cracked fore end on an A-5.

 

[11B Lifer]

I have a few of these, and its by far my favorite shotgun-But the design is rather old-and they're heavy-The forestocks crack-and check the action and friction ring for wear and tear-If improperly set-excess recoil can really beat the poor old gun up-I have a 16 gauge that has been damaged-
You can replace stocks, barrel and springs-
Many the times my son and I have set up an anti-aircraft defense against doves with our A5s-Consider a plastic stock!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I agree that the price is in the right ballpark. You didn't say but I assume that it is a 12 gauge. If it is a 16 or 20 it has at least a small premium. If is just a coat of varnish, it can be remover and refinished. Many old timers used to re-oil their stocks every 1 to 3 years depending on wear. A friend has a 1958 A-5, the question I have is; Dose it have a vent rib or a raised rib like most of them? Ivan

 

[jframe]

My Dad has a Light Twelve A-5 roughly this vintage, maybe a little older, that he bought new in Detroit and pheasant hunted with for years. It's absolutely flawless, but now, I'm wondering where this "cracked forearm" is supposed to be. Any pics so I can check his gun and know what I'm looking for?

 

[bettis1]

There are a couple of things that you might look for on an Auto-5. 1) If the fore end isn't seated properly and the end cap isn't tight the fore end may chip or crack where it abuts the frame. 2) If the brass friction ring isn't turned properly for high velocity loads the bolt will impact the rear of the action and, over time, the square back will have an imprint in it.

While both of these problems are unaesthetic, they don't impact the function of the gun in any way. The A-5 is one of the most outstanding inventions of John B. If I were restricted to only one shotgun, it would be an Auto-5 without any other even being close.

(Well maybe I would consider a nice side X side double.)
Bob