Signs of Quality Workmanship-Browning FN A5

[VaTom]

A friend of mine is a car guy not a gun guy. He wanted to sell his father's 1936 Browning FN A5 shotgun made in Belgium. Brought it to me for a minor cleaning and assessment so he would know how much to ask for it, condition, etc. When inspecting and researching the Browning A5 I found something interesting. The large screws on either side of the receiver are serial number to the shotgun (last 4 digits). Large screws were also notched on the head and smaller screws installed to keep them from loosening backing out.

I am sure there are other manufacturing processes that are no longer done by manufacturers to keep costs down. See pictures.

 

[chief38]

It's hard to see the actual condition from your pictures, but your best bet is to look up the serial number and see if it is a standard model or Lightening model. The Lightening brings a little more as it is 6 ounces or so lighter and matters if your hauling it all over the woods all day during a hunt. You also did not state the Gauge, barrel length or choke! A 12 gauge and a 20 gauge would be easier to sell as they are the most popular these days - price would also reflect that.

If it is in very good condition, has no cracks or major chips and dents, is a Modified or IC choke, 12 Ga Lightening with a 27.5" bbl (metric), I'd guess about $850 - $900 or so. A standard weight model - maybe $75-$100 less. BTW the Round Knob and long Tang on this one does add value to the final price. Again, you need to be more specific if you want a price from us that means anything.

The Browning A5 had fitted screws and each screw had to be hand cut to where it tightened. Hence the numbering.

 

[VaTom]

Already got a price estimate, just wanted to share the serial numbered screws process. Never seen it before. He sold the shotgun this past weekend. Thanks for input anyway.

 

[chief38]

Already got a price estimate, just wanted to share the serial numbered screws process. Never seen it before. He sold the shotgun this past weekend. Thanks for input anyway.

If you wouldn't mind, could you let me know what it sold for?

I have owned an A5 Lightening (late 1950's) for many years and have taken a ton of Pheasants, Grouse, Partridge, Quail with it, not to mention tens of thousands of clay birds. It's my second favorite hunting SG, only behind my Browning Superposed.

 

[fiasconva]

Very interesting workmanship. I have my grandfather's 16 gauge A5 from 1935. Those old warhorses were built to last. Thanks for the good post.

 

[Narragansett]

I have an A5 in nice shape, about 1942 I think, 28" bbl. 16 ga, but the proper shells are 2 9/16". I am afraid to fire low dose 2 3/4" shells

 

[DWalt]

I have an A5 in nice shape, about 1942 I think, 28" bbl. 16 ga, but the proper shells are 2 9/16". I am afraid to fire low dose 2 3/4" shells

Don't be. The real issue is if fired 2-3/4 shells will clear the ejection port.

 

[alwslate]

Never seen screw heads serial numbered to the gun before? Check out war time Mauser 98Ks. High quality for WW2 military use.

 

[chief38]

Browning shotguns (and any Belgium made Browning firearm) has always exemplified what high quality is, meticulous fit, finish and pride a firearm can be made too. I've not seen a Browning Belgium made gun that I would be embarrassed to own!

While the current Miroku Japanese made Brownings are IMHO a 1/2 notch down from their Belgium brothers, they are still extremely well made and quite nice.

 

[VaTom]

If you wouldn't mind, could you let me know what it sold for?

I have owned an A5 Lightening (late 1950's) for many years and have taken a ton of Pheasants, Grouse, Partridge, Quail with it, not to mention tens of thousands of clay birds. It's my second favorite hunting SG, only behind my Browning Superposed.

My estimate of value was $500-$650 to the right buyer. It did need a new recoil butt pad and had a small hair line crack on rear fore stock (not unusual for this model). Otherwise all original and 85% bluing. Would rate “very good” condition. He sold it to a friend for $375. Th buyer got a great deal. It was a 12 gauge 2 3/4 shells.

 

[67tempest]

I have an old A5 that was a family "trunk gun", it was tossed in the trunk on hunting trips in case a spare shotgun was needed. It was in bad shape when I ended up with it. The butt stock was cracked at the wrist and the fore end was split. The metal was scratched, dinged and had some surface rust. The locking block was fractured and the bolt was damaged at the extractor area.

My brother was able to get a replacement stock and fore end along with a bolt and locking block from a buddy of his. I refinished the replacement stock and also worked on the dings and scratches on the receiver and barrel. It was sent out to be polished and blued. I reassembled it when it came back and took it out to try it, it functioned perfectly. The original butt stock had the year 1927 carved in it so it's at least that old. I'll have to run the ser# to figure out what year it was actually produced. I know it has no more collector value but I had to get it into shootable condition again. I'll pass it on down in the family to the next generation so they can shoot and enjoy it.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I cut my shooting teeth on Browning A-5s. Never seen one break, rarely even jam unless extremely dirty or recoil rings assembled incorrectly. They are finely made, yet are tanks as well. My brother has my old Sweet Sixteen. Killed my first deer with my old Light Twelve.

 

[old tanker]

I've got a hand me down A5 with the no longer popular Deluxe Poly Choke. They were all the rage once upon a time. Somebody in my great uncle's family paid good wages to have it installed.

 

[fiasconva]

Don't be. The real issue is if fired 2-3/4 shells will clear the ejection port.

I could never get the 2 3/4" shells to eject in that old Browning. However, there are a couple of companies that make vintage 2 1/2" shells. I think one of them is RST and the other is Polywad.

 

[Rpg]

I have an A5 in nice shape, about 1942 I think, 28" bbl. 16 ga, but the proper shells are 2 9/16". I am afraid to fire low dose 2 3/4" shells

You can safely fire 2 3/4” shells in your Browning.

The only issue you might encounter is that some brands may hang up in the ejection port. Some 2 3/4” cases are longer than others.

 

[DWalt]

You can safely fire 2 3/4” shells in your Browning.

The only issue you might encounter is that some brands may hang up in the ejection port. Some 2 3/4” cases are longer than others.

Different shell brands will have slightly different fired shell lengths. Some may be short enough to eject from an early gun, some may not. For the rare person who reloads the 16 gauge, the case mouth can be trimmed slightly shorter with a single edged razor blade if necessary. It won't take much, maybe 1/8".
I have found that 12 gauge fired 2-3/4" cases will usually measure to be around 2.60" to 2.70" depending on brand. I have not measured true case lengths of 2-3/4" 16 gauge fired cases.
If you have an old double barrel gun, there is obviously no ejection port to worry about, unlike a pump or semiauto.

The main thing to try first is firing a 2-3/4" shell to find if the ejection port is too short to allow proper ejection before you do anything else. Long ago I had an old Remington Model 11 (same as the A5 Browning) semiauto in 20 gauge. It was probably from the early 1920s, and I never even thought about its chamber length, let alone measuring it. Whatever it was, it handled 2-3/4" shells just fine. I think the 2-3/4" case length became pretty much the industry standard in the mid-1920s, but it probably varied by shotgun manufacturer.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Browning used "bug" screws on the A5 until went out of production.

 

[jframe]

I have a Light Twelve, non vented rib A5 12 gauge from 1953 that I inherited from my Dad. He took no telling how much pheasant with it when he lived in Michigan. He was a tool and die maker, and as such, the thing is absolutely flawless with perfect wood and deep bluing. I've never shot it, but I need to get it out this winter, and give it a go somewhere. Still got the original Browning owner's manual, and the orginal plug made out of wood.