Belgian Browning Auto 5

passintime · September 21, 2008, 01:15 PM

I have a Belgian Browning auto-5 16 gauge shotgun that I am looking to get rid of and need to know what a good price range for this is. The gun is near mint, was a pre-war model (I believe Browning told me that serial number dates it to 1930 or so). There is not a scratch on this gun, not in the wood or the metal. This is an Ogden, Utah addressed gun and made in Belgium of course. Any idea what I should expect to get out of this gun? Thanks! Let me know if more info is needed.

TheNatureBoy · September 21, 2008, 01:38 PM

Check out GunsAmerica.com. I took a peek and there are a number of Browning A5's listed. Could give you a idea as to what yours is worth.

ebutler462 · September 21, 2008, 01:40 PM

The book value is from $560-700 in the condition you described. The lower price is for the plain barrel model. The higher for the raised matted or vent rib model. These guns were made by FN in Belgium from 1900-1973.

Caution: The 16 gauge A-5s made before the war were chambered for 2" loads only.

Jeff Mulliken · September 21, 2008, 02:30 PM

The 16 ga A5's made before WW2 were not chambered for 2".....they were chambered for 65 mm otherwise kown as 2 9/16".

In a short chambered Auto-5, it must be a in very high condition to get much over $450. In addition any mod's like a recoil pad drag down the price. The price is way below the later guns like the Sweet 16 because there are not many people that want to pay a premium for the short shells.

I am one of the sickos and own three of the short 16's....

The grade has an impact as well, is the receiver plain or engraved with the standard vine and leaf?

The Utah address was used on 16's from 1923 to 1930. Post the serial number and I'll confirm the year of production.

Jeff

passintime · September 21, 2008, 02:34 PM

Plain receiver, serial number 8524x with an H underneath.

Jeff Mulliken · September 21, 2008, 07:31 PM

The letter H was used as a prefix on the standard 12 from 53 to 56. But that would not like up with the Ogden barrel address....or any 16 ga gun for that matter.....

As the H is below the number I'd disregard it for now and the 85,000 number puts it in the second half of 1930.

Check the serial number on the barrel ring to see if it matches the one on the receiver. That may tell us if the barrel is not the original.

As a grade 1 with no engraving the value is right around $400 to $500

Interesting....keep us posted.

Jeff

passintime · September 21, 2008, 07:47 PM

Serial numbers match, H is below the serial # not in front, and the safety is as described for 1930. Any value idea on this?

Jeff Mulliken · September 22, 2008, 07:19 AM

As I noted above, probably $450...maybe a little more if it is in REALLY good condition and you get two bidders to fight over it.

I have a few and know the market....

passintime · September 22, 2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks Jeff, you have been supremely helpful. I was offered $550 for it last night and took it. People fought all over it for that price

It is truly pristine. I see no signs of being fired.

Jeff Mulliken · September 22, 2008, 10:12 AM

It sounds like you and the buyer each got a good deal.

Regards,

Jeff

September 21, 2008, 01:15 PM	#1
passintime Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 352	Belgian Browning Auto 5 I have a Belgian Browning auto-5 16 gauge shotgun that I am looking to get rid of and need to know what a good price range for this is. The gun is near mint, was a pre-war model (I believe Browning told me that serial number dates it to 1930 or so). There is not a scratch on this gun, not in the wood or the metal. This is an Ogden, Utah addressed gun and made in Belgium of course. Any idea what I should expect to get out of this gun? Thanks! Let me know if more info is needed.

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September 21, 2008, 01:38 PM	#2
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Check out GunsAmerica.com. I took a peek and there are a number of Browning A5's listed. Could give you a idea as to what yours is worth.

September 21, 2008, 01:40 PM	#3
ebutler462 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 437	The book value is from $560-700 in the condition you described. The lower price is for the plain barrel model. The higher for the raised matted or vent rib model. These guns were made by FN in Belgium from 1900-1973. Caution: The 16 gauge A-5s made before the war were chambered for 2" loads only.

September 21, 2008, 02:30 PM	#4
Jeff Mulliken Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 250	The 16 ga A5's made before WW2 were not chambered for 2".....they were chambered for 65 mm otherwise kown as 2 9/16". In a short chambered Auto-5, it must be a in very high condition to get much over $450. In addition any mod's like a recoil pad drag down the price. The price is way below the later guns like the Sweet 16 because there are not many people that want to pay a premium for the short shells. I am one of the sickos and own three of the short 16's.... The grade has an impact as well, is the receiver plain or engraved with the standard vine and leaf? The Utah address was used on 16's from 1923 to 1930. Post the serial number and I'll confirm the year of production. Jeff

September 21, 2008, 02:34 PM	#5
passintime Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 352	Plain receiver, serial number 8524x with an H underneath.

September 21, 2008, 07:31 PM	#6
Jeff Mulliken Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 250	The letter H was used as a prefix on the standard 12 from 53 to 56. But that would not like up with the Ogden barrel address....or any 16 ga gun for that matter..... As the H is below the number I'd disregard it for now and the 85,000 number puts it in the second half of 1930. Check the serial number on the barrel ring to see if it matches the one on the receiver. That may tell us if the barrel is not the original. As a grade 1 with no engraving the value is right around $400 to $500 Interesting....keep us posted. Jeff

September 21, 2008, 07:47 PM	#7
passintime Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 352	Serial numbers match, H is below the serial # not in front, and the safety is as described for 1930. Any value idea on this?

September 22, 2008, 07:19 AM	#8
Jeff Mulliken Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 250	As I noted above, probably $450...maybe a little more if it is in REALLY good condition and you get two bidders to fight over it. I have a few and know the market....

September 22, 2008, 09:44 AM	#9
passintime Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 352	Thanks Jeff, you have been supremely helpful. I was offered $550 for it last night and took it. People fought all over it for that price It is truly pristine. I see no signs of being fired.

September 22, 2008, 10:12 AM	#10
Jeff Mulliken Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 250	It sounds like you and the buyer each got a good deal. Regards, Jeff