A5 belgium 16ga, Grandpa's old gun

bowhx · July 8, 2013, 08:37 AM

I just inherited Gpa's old A5 and was wanting some info on it. It's a 16 with less than a box shot through it. The gun is in mint condition, still have the original 2 boxes of paper shells he bought. It has the suicide front safety and solid rib. serial number is x44242, could not figure out production date off of browning's website. Anybody have an idea on date of production and possible value?

Scorch · July 8, 2013, 07:59 PM

Old Auto-5 shotguns with the safety through the front of the trigger guard are from pre-1927 production. In any event, unless modified, 16 gauge chambers on pre-war Auto-5s will be 2-9/16", too short for modern production 16 gauge shells. I would be very careful about those shells you got with the gun.

marklmurray · July 8, 2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorch

Old Auto-5 shotguns with the safety through the front of the trigger guard are from pre-1927 production. In any event, unless modified, 16 gauge chambers on pre-war Auto-5s will be 2-9/16", too short for modern production 16 gauge shells. I would be very careful about those shells you got with the gun.

There are a few sources of 2 1/2'' shells around. I have several boxes of Gamebore (I think) that I got from Cabellas for one of similar vintage that I'm refinishing.

marklmurray · July 8, 2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowhx

I just inherited Gpa's old A5 and was wanting some info on it. It's a 16 with less than a box shot through it. The gun is in mint condition, still have the original 2 boxes of paper shells he bought. It has the suicide front safety and solid rib. serial number is x44242, could not figure out production date off of browning's website. Anybody have an idea on date of production and possible value?

Also, I did some research after I bought mine (I'll post when I find it), but I think it is difficult, if not impossible to pin down an exact year of production for the very early ones.

Still, it's amazing, when compared to my mid 80's Light 12, just how little the design has changed. Awesome design!

marklmurray · July 8, 2013, 09:31 PM

Here's the link to what Browning has to say about dates of production: http://www.browning.com/customerserv...tail.asp?id=13

I dug the following up from somewhere else on the internet (can't remember where), so its accuracy is probably dubious:

Quote:

1919: 47719 - 47950
1920: 47299 - 47718
1921: 48951 - 53500
1922: 53501 - 58150
1923: 58151 - 62600
1924: 62601 - 69300
1925: 69301 - 79150
1926: 79151 - 88000
1927: 88001 - 106250
1928: 106251 - 127650

bowhx · July 9, 2013, 06:33 PM

hey thanks for the info. i was going off of memory on the s# it is actualy X43442 i checked out bluebookofgunvalues.com and they listed that number as a 1950 production but it does have the front safety. Did they still make that style of safety in 1950? The local gun smith said that that is typicaly a pre ww2 feature. Any ideas? also ballpark on the value? gun is 14 shots from new.

jrothWA · July 11, 2013, 09:58 PM

of the receiver.

There will be an oval with four number inside, should be one or the other of:
16-65 or 16-70.

the first number is the gauge and the second is the chamber length, either 65 mm's or 70mm's (2-9/16 or 2-3/4")

With the forward safety, you most likely have the 2-9/16 chamber.

Good news is there are 2-1/2" shell available.

Check out - www.16ga.com - ther is a dated list of ammo suppliers.

Change out the recoil spring from around the mag tube, and the friction bronzes with new, as it should cycle like new.

ENJOY!

July 8, 2013, 08:37 AM	#1
bowhx Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2013 Posts: 2	A5 belgium 16ga, Grandpa's old gun I just inherited Gpa's old A5 and was wanting some info on it. It's a 16 with less than a box shot through it. The gun is in mint condition, still have the original 2 boxes of paper shells he bought. It has the suicide front safety and solid rib. serial number is x44242, could not figure out production date off of browning's website. Anybody have an idea on date of production and possible value?

July 8, 2013, 07:59 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Old Auto-5 shotguns with the safety through the front of the trigger guard are from pre-1927 production. In any event, unless modified, 16 gauge chambers on pre-war Auto-5s will be 2-9/16", too short for modern production 16 gauge shells. I would be very careful about those shells you got with the gun. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 11, 2013, 09:58 PM	#7
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Look at the left barrel side above the forearm and ahead.. of the receiver. There will be an oval with four number inside, should be one or the other of: 16-65 or 16-70. the first number is the gauge and the second is the chamber length, either 65 mm's or 70mm's (2-9/16 or 2-3/4") With the forward safety, you most likely have the 2-9/16 chamber. Good news is there are 2-1/2" shell available. Check out - www.16ga.com - ther is a dated list of ammo suppliers. Change out the recoil spring from around the mag tube, and the friction bronzes with new, as it should cycle like new. ENJOY!

July 9, 2013, 06:33 PM	#6
bowhx Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2013 Posts: 2	hey thanks for the info. i was going off of memory on the s# it is actualy X43442 i checked out bluebookofgunvalues.com and they listed that number as a 1950 production but it does have the front safety. Did they still make that style of safety in 1950? The local gun smith said that that is typicaly a pre ww2 feature. Any ideas? also ballpark on the value? gun is 14 shots from new.