Browning A5 dating 57475

[Breakaway500]

I picked up this A5 Browning in a gun deal yesterday. The seller said it was his grandfathers. There does not seem to be any clear serial number lookup on the net that I have found. Here is a photo of the serial number if anyone can help. Thanks.

Sorry about the upside down photo..don't know how that happened. The gun is a lightweight 12 gauge with 26" barrel.

 

[Fishinfool]

I attached a link to Brownings web site listing Auto-5 serial #'s.

Mine, L284**, is accurate, indicating a 1954 production Light Weight.

Your serial number does not seem to match up, at least the way I am reading it?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...shotgun.html&usg=AOvVaw1-JzAMpvZchwB1oO93PGVa

Larry

 

[Breakaway500]

Hi Larry. I believe my example is pre WW2 and I guess the serial number base back then is not as clear as later production units, although one data base I tried put the build date in the 1922ish range...but I have not been able to verify that so I figured I'd ask.

 

[Fishinfool]

Does your Auto-5 have a replacement wood forend? Reason I ask is the wood color and finish look like that used on the later Japan produced Auto-5's, even though the serial number does not support that. Didn't the light weight model come along after WW2? Wish I could be more helpful. They are excellent shotguns, and mine has been well used, never missing a beat.

Larry

 

[KSDeputy]

Mine was my Dad's, he hunted birds a lot and part of the SN is worn off. It is a Remington made under the Browning patent, they did a lot of that back then. Two numbers are worn off so as to be un-readable. Any ideas as to how to bring them back up? I had Dad's completely refinished, it looks like new except for the serial number. It is a great shotgun, I love it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The George Midas, Browning SN book lists 1927 as 48001-63000.

Note pre 1924 are below 3000 and were a single purchase by John M. Browning for their gun company. And have a different Address ect.

Ivan

 

[Patrick L]

Breakaway,

1966. For sure. The 6G is a date code started in 1958. The G denotes a light 12, the 6 is 196"6".

This is from Shirley and Vanderlinden's book, which is the Bible on A5 information.

Yours was actually one of the easy ones. A5 serial numbers go all the way back to 1903. Both World Wars seriously screwed with production (esp WWII) and record keeping, plus the fact that there were US market blocks, World market blocks, etc.

I HIGHLY recommend that book to anyone with even a passing interest in the old Humpback

 

[Breakaway500]

Great info guys..thank you. I do believe the forearm was replaces as it is darker wood than the stock.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Great info guys..thank you. I do believe the forearm was replaces as it is darker wood than the stock.

The fore end looks 1980's or later and the Poly finish the Japanese use!

The G 6 makes it a Lightweight made in late 1957 OR with the SN G 657475 about 1964 or 65

Ivan

Personally, I stick with Superpose shotguns, they are confusing enough!

 

[Breakaway500]

This was part of a "package deal" of 3 guns: a Hi-power 9mm Capitan unfired in the plastic case (1990s era) a "like new" 20 gauge A5 made in Belgium but newer than the 12, and the 12 gauge A5 Belgium, used often by gramps for many years. $2k bought the 3 and he would not break them up. Not "cheap" but not a terrible deal.

The "66" threw me..I didn't realize it was part of the serial number and also didn't see it as 6G. Id better pay more attention to details!

 

[Patrick L]

It is definitely 6G and definitely 1966. The rest of the numbers are from that block in 1966.

Here is a link to that book, if it works

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Browning-Auto-5-Shotguns-Belgian-Production/dp/0970799764/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24LTG0ACL09VD&dchild=1&keywords=browning+auto+5+book&qid=1589813083&sprefix=The+Browning+Auto%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1"]Browning Auto-5 Shotguns, The Belgian FN Production - Revised, Second Edition: H.M. Shirley, Jr., Anthony Vanderlinden: 9780970799760: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

 

[Patrick L]

Hmmm, that last link didn't quite work. I'll try to get a better one.

]

Regarding the serial numbers, lots of well meaning folks have posted, but you need to understand in this case, the 6G trumps everything else. An Auto 5 with a serial number of just 57475 would be a different year than one with 57475 and the code 6G. Ivan you're close, but not quite there.

If I get a chance later I'll scan and post the page with these codes on them.

 

[Patrick L]

Try this one

book Browning Auto 5 Shotguns book, the Belgian FN Production

 

[Patrick L]

Breakaway,

That's a set I would have liked to buy. I too have two A5s, my 1966 Sweet 16 and a 1971 Magnum 20, obviously both Belgian since they're pre 1976. And one of my biggest regrets was letting my Hi Power slip away in a moment of weakness.

 

[rwsmith]

My FIL gave me....

...his 1929 A5 12 gauge. It's in great shape. I shoot it every now and then to make sure it stays that way.

 

[Patrick L]

Here's a link to an old post of mine about how I acquired my 20 gauge A5, which I actually inherited. It's a bit long, but it's a touching story and several people said they really enjoyed it when I originally posted it.

After 30 years, I inherit a Browning A5