Browning (Remington?) A5 date question

CorvZ061 · January 19, 2020, 04:29 PM

I have an old Browning A5 that I’ve been trying to date for a while now. I know it’s old, but unsure how old. The gun itself is a 12 ga 2 3/4” chamber. I need some friction rings, the ones on it are worn out so I don’t like shooting it much, as I don’t want to damage anything.

The serial number is on the side of the receiver, and starts with a B which leads me to believe it’s Remington Made, but the serial number is shorter than what the browning site mentions. Serial Number is B31574. I’ve attached some photos of all the stampings, any help is appreciated.

CorvZ061 · January 26, 2020, 10:10 AM

maybe it has everyone else stumped too?

J.G. Terry · January 27, 2020, 09:41 PM

This is not information from on high. We would get old Browning's in for repairs. The gunsmith we used explained that post WW2 Browning were basically Remington Model 11's. The reason being FN was too disrupted by the war for one reason or another to get back into the shotgun business quickly. One source stated the 65,000 shotguns were made for Browning during the war. I'm not buying that. For what it's worth there is some information on the net.

Tom C. · February 21, 2020, 01:28 PM

My serial number list for the Auto-5 suggests it was made by Remington during WW II when FN was occupied by the Germans. “B” is for 12 gage. Remington made something like 237,000 from 1940 to 1946. That would suggest to me that it may have been made in 1940-’41.
Someone else may have a more definitive answer for you.

January 27, 2020, 09:41 PM	#3
J.G. Terry Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2014 Posts: 577	This is not information from on high. We would get old Browning's in for repairs. The gunsmith we used explained that post WW2 Browning were basically Remington Model 11's. The reason being FN was too disrupted by the war for one reason or another to get back into the shotgun business quickly. One source stated the 65,000 shotguns were made for Browning during the war. I'm not buying that. For what it's worth there is some information on the net. __________________ Intentionally Antagonizing Another MemberInsults and Ad Hominems

February 21, 2020, 01:28 PM	#4
Tom C. Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2002 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 259	My serial number list for the Auto-5 suggests it was made by Remington during WW II when FN was occupied by the Germans. “B” is for 12 gage. Remington made something like 237,000 from 1940 to 1946. That would suggest to me that it may have been made in 1940-’41. Someone else may have a more definitive answer for you. __________________ Tom

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January 26, 2020, 10:10 AM	#2
CorvZ061 Member Join Date: January 19, 2020 Posts: 31	maybe it has everyone else stumped too?