Need help with approximate year of this A5

Kornkob · February 23, 2013, 03:58 PM

This Browning 12 gauge was given to my father by my mother in 1957 as a wedding present. She says she bought it new. It has gotten out of the family hands, long story, and I am trying to recover it. If anyone could help me with an approximate year It would help! Sorry about picture quality but it's all I have.

**Spats McGee** · February 23, 2013, 04:02 PM

Welcome to The Firing Line, Kornkob.

You'll have better luck getting this answered up in The Dave McCracken Memorial Shotgun Forum, so I'm going to move it there for you.

BigDinFL · February 23, 2013, 04:07 PM

Have a serial number?

Kornkob · February 23, 2013, 04:21 PM

I do not know for sure. The gun shop guy that bought it and sold it says the number was a 5 digit number starting with a 5. No letters. If that is true, with my limited knowledge, that means it is pre WWII. I can't imagine that my mom bought it in 1957 and it was that old already.

Arocholl · February 23, 2013, 05:07 PM

The Browning Auto 5 was produced by FN Herstal starting in 1902 so it's possible that it could be even older than you think.

I have a Remington Model 11 1947 production (Browning licensed the design to Reminton who produced it as the Model 11 from 1905-1947) that looks like it could have rolled out of the factory yesterday.

**Spats McGee** · February 23, 2013, 05:13 PM

I don't know much about the A5 in particular, but even if it was ~15-20 years old in 1957, that's not that old. I've been known to hunt with guns older than me, and I'm way older than 20.

February 23, 2013, 04:02 PM	#2
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,352	Welcome to The Firing Line, Kornkob. You'll have better luck getting this answered up in The Dave McCracken Memorial Shotgun Forum, so I'm going to move it there for you. __________________ A gunfight is not the time to learn new skills. If you ever have a real need for more than a couple of magazines, your problem is not a shortage of magazines. It's a shortage of people on your side of the argument. -- Art Eatman

February 23, 2013, 05:13 PM	#6
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,352	I don't know much about the A5 in particular, but even if it was ~15-20 years old in 1957, that's not that old. I've been known to hunt with guns older than me, and I'm way older than 20. __________________ A gunfight is not the time to learn new skills. If you ever have a real need for more than a couple of magazines, your problem is not a shortage of magazines. It's a shortage of people on your side of the argument. -- Art Eatman

February 23, 2013, 04:07 PM	#3
BigDinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 913	Have a serial number?

February 23, 2013, 04:21 PM	#4
Kornkob Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Posts: 2	I do not know for sure. The gun shop guy that bought it and sold it says the number was a 5 digit number starting with a 5. No letters. If that is true, with my limited knowledge, that means it is pre WWII. I can't imagine that my mom bought it in 1957 and it was that old already.

February 23, 2013, 05:07 PM	#5
Arocholl Member Join Date: October 30, 2012 Posts: 27	The Browning Auto 5 was produced by FN Herstal starting in 1902 so it's possible that it could be even older than you think. I have a Remington Model 11 1947 production (Browning licensed the design to Reminton who produced it as the Model 11 from 1905-1947) that looks like it could have rolled out of the factory yesterday.