Lately, as a collector, I was fortunate to find a second Browning auto 5 type 3. Before I present it to you, let’s do a bit of history.
In October 17 1961, following the Fabrique Nationale monthly magazine "Revue", the FN official, the worker representative and Bruce Browning the grandson of J.M. Browning were assembled into the F.N. conference room to commemorate the one millionth auto 5 fabricated since the end of the second war. The magazine article mentioned that on one side of the podium, you can see the 1903 original prototype and on the other side the one millionth auto 5. Following Shirley & Vanderlinden book "Browning Auto 5 Shotgun, The Belgian FN Production" revised edition page 147, the FN described the model chosen to commemorate that event as a Light Weight. Strangely, the F.N. magazine "Revue" October 1961 and S&V didn’t mention that model being a type 3. Also, with the information I have, neither of them mentioned that the model "Spécial pour tir aux pigeons" in the later years of production was a type 3.
It is well known among the auto 5 aficionados that over its years of production , starting before the first war, the F.N. offered 6 types of engraving. The types 2, 3 and 5 were never commercialized in North America. During those years the type 3 went through 3 engraving patterns. Among the three generations, the second one is the most obscure regarding the date of commercialization and the engraving pattern. S&V on page 164 wrote "The FN photography archives for March 18, 1922 reflect engraving changes in the Types I, II and III but there is no indication of the effective date of change." After 10 years of collecting the auto 5, I have never seen any example resembling the ones shown in S&V on page 165. However picture 2 appears to be a 1923 or prior type 3, because of the curvature of the trigger. Unfortunately, it doesn’t resemble the one depicted in S&V book. If any of you have a second generation as per S&V picture on hand, it would be greatly appreciated to see it. Also, any literature would help to clarify the elusive 1922 type 3.
Let’s see some pics:
Picture 1
First generation type 3, this example is a 1919.
Picture 2
Second generation type 3, from the trigger curvature this example is a pre 1923.
Picture 3
Third generation type 3, this example is a 1959.
Picture 4 and 5
"Spéciale pour tir aux pigeons" with his type 3 engraving.
Picture 6,7 and 8
My new acquisition
Picture 9
My two type 3. I believe the bottom one was from the Custom Shop.
Picture 10
Notice in this foliage engraving how the engravers have interpreted differently the same engraving theme. The differences are subtle.
Picture 11
The differences are more obvious on the tang.
Any feedback is welcome. I am also going to post this text on other forums to get different opinions.
In October 17 1961, following the Fabrique Nationale monthly magazine "Revue", the FN official, the worker representative and Bruce Browning the grandson of J.M. Browning were assembled into the F.N. conference room to commemorate the one millionth auto 5 fabricated since the end of the second war. The magazine article mentioned that on one side of the podium, you can see the 1903 original prototype and on the other side the one millionth auto 5. Following Shirley & Vanderlinden book "Browning Auto 5 Shotgun, The Belgian FN Production" revised edition page 147, the FN described the model chosen to commemorate that event as a Light Weight. Strangely, the F.N. magazine "Revue" October 1961 and S&V didn’t mention that model being a type 3. Also, with the information I have, neither of them mentioned that the model "Spécial pour tir aux pigeons" in the later years of production was a type 3.
It is well known among the auto 5 aficionados that over its years of production , starting before the first war, the F.N. offered 6 types of engraving. The types 2, 3 and 5 were never commercialized in North America. During those years the type 3 went through 3 engraving patterns. Among the three generations, the second one is the most obscure regarding the date of commercialization and the engraving pattern. S&V on page 164 wrote "The FN photography archives for March 18, 1922 reflect engraving changes in the Types I, II and III but there is no indication of the effective date of change." After 10 years of collecting the auto 5, I have never seen any example resembling the ones shown in S&V on page 165. However picture 2 appears to be a 1923 or prior type 3, because of the curvature of the trigger. Unfortunately, it doesn’t resemble the one depicted in S&V book. If any of you have a second generation as per S&V picture on hand, it would be greatly appreciated to see it. Also, any literature would help to clarify the elusive 1922 type 3.
Let’s see some pics:
Picture 1
First generation type 3, this example is a 1919.
Picture 2
Second generation type 3, from the trigger curvature this example is a pre 1923.
Picture 3
Third generation type 3, this example is a 1959.
Picture 4 and 5
"Spéciale pour tir aux pigeons" with his type 3 engraving.
Picture 6,7 and 8
My new acquisition
Picture 9
My two type 3. I believe the bottom one was from the Custom Shop.
Picture 10
Notice in this foliage engraving how the engravers have interpreted differently the same engraving theme. The differences are subtle.
Picture 11
The differences are more obvious on the tang.
Any feedback is welcome. I am also going to post this text on other forums to get different opinions.
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