Bought a gun that brought back memories, with a long knot on the end of the barrel

[ky wonder]

Yesterday was my birthday, while out at my lgs he passed on a old hump back, and told the guy I might be interested. I was.
The kid manning the gun store was not interested because he said it had a poly choke

I knew it was a cutts compenstor

After a quick look, the gun was honest Belgium early post war grade 1 browning A5, at 90% metal and wood, no cracks in the forearm, cutts was expertly attached to a Belgium vent rib barrel, with the cutts adjustable choke screwed on the compensator

I saw no choke marking on the left side of the barrel,
So I bought the gun because it reminded me of the gun I saw as a youngster when going on hunts with a local old veteran who owned a neighboring farm, and going to skeet shoots with him as a kid.

That old man passed while I was away in the service, and I had not seen the gun since the 60s

While I cant say it's the same gun, it sure would pass as its twin. I remember mr Nunn was a expert shotgunner and if a dove, quail, or duck came into range. It was headed to the pot.

Funny how an old gun can bring back memories

 

[Rudi]

Sounds like a great piece, great memories.

 

[CorvZ061]

I love my Auto 5. Just gotta make sure the friction rings are in good shape and in the right order. I'm sure the comp helps, never seen one on a A5. I share this link whenever I see that someone bought one.

TFB Armorer's Bench: Understanding Auto-5 Friction Ring OrientationThe Firearm Blog

 

[DWalt]

I once had a 12 gauge Remington Model 11 with a Cutts comp. Basically identical to the Browning A5. I used it with a spreader tube for skeet for awhile. Later I got a Browning O/U and sold the M11.

 

[DR505]

I started hunting with the same setup, on a borrowed A5. I sure would like to have one now.

 

[Ruger 13]

Reading your story brings back some memories for me…………thank you!

 

[max]

Where I come from, those things on the end of the barrel are referred to as corn cobs or taters.

 

[gfors]

Mine is from 1957. The "corn cob" was added in 1961 (receipt is still in the Poly Choke box). I had to repair a crack in the fore stock, and she has some honest wear. This A5 belonged to a friend of my dad's. When his friend passed, some 20+ years ago, my dad helped Bill's widow sell some rare books, to settle some debts. She gave the gun to Dad, as a thank you.
About 5 or 6 years ago, Dad asked me which of his guns I wanted, "when the time comes". I settled on his A5 and a Beretta BL-3. Dad left us 3 1/2 years ago. I still haven't gotten to do any pheasant hunting, with the O/U, but the Browning goes on just about every duck-hunting trip. I think about him and Bill, every time I handle the A5.

 

[Breakaway500]

I have Poly-Chokes on many guns..as they really do work as a very fast, handy choke modifier and some recoil reduction..and the style grow on you till I actually prefer the look on my single barrel shotguns. It's really all opinion at that point.

I once sent off a modern Beretta AL390 Sporting Clays barrel to have one installed. They called me just to be sure I had sent the correct barrel...and I ended up talking with the guy for a half hour.

Ive won many tournaments with that Poly-Choked barrel and have made believers out of skeptics..especially at a long bird shoot when I dial in X-Full and bust the targets.

Function over form is how I prefer life.

 

[gfors]

I have Poly-Chokes on many guns..as they really do work as a very fast, handy choke modifier and some recoil reduction..and the style grow on you till I actually prefer the look on my single barrel shotguns. It's really all opinion at that point.

I once sent off a modern Beretta AL390 Sporting Clays barrel to have one installed. They called me just to be sure I had sent the correct barrel...and I ended up talking with the guy for a half hour.

Ive won many tournaments with that Poly-Choked barrel and have made believers out of skeptics..especially at a long bird shoot when I dial in X-Full and bust the targets.

Function over form is how I prefer life.

There a unique honesty, or integrity, maybe, when form follows function.