Browning Shotgun - Made in Belgium

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Richardsimon124

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Hi all. I was pointed to this site by a friend. I have inherited a Browning shotgun. I don't know much about this gun other than what markings it has. On the main body it has Browning Magnum. On both barrels "Browning Arms Company St. Louis Mo. & Montreal P.Q Made in Belgium" There are also several "parts". It also has two barrels, one longer than the other. I have included pictures. I am just wondering what the value of this gun might be. I'm not sure if I want to sell it but who knows what time will do.

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Well, so far we can tell you it's a very nice Belgium made Auto5 magnum 12. Has the much preferred vented rib barrels, the one on the gun now having a fixed Full as told by the * symbol. If you list the serial #, some readers here will be able to date the gun for you and tell you the year it was made. Judging by the stock checkering pattern I'm thinking maybe mid-late 60's build?
 
very nice A5.... you can date it from the browning website, or several A5 owners can help you here too. Extra barrels are common, in order to give the shooter back then different choke options. Oh, and thank you for posting excellent pictures.... Great first post and welcome to the site!!!
 
Yup, I agree too.
It is one nice Auto 5 .
I was with my buddy when he bought his Auto 5 light several years ago from a retiring Sheriff at the New Westminster Court House.
he paid $800.00 for it back then and the instructions for the recoil rings was still attached to the inside of the forearm.
If anyone is offering less than $800.00 they are looking to low ball you.
Even though the market is softer the last couple of years it is my opinion a Very Nice Auto 5.
Rob
 
Thanks for all the quick reply's! My grandfather took immaculate care of his guns. The two rules he lived by... never lend your wife or your gun. He never broke either.

The gun is at my office so I am unable to post the S/N. I do remember that the S/N started with a V. Not sure if that helps.

I am a hunter, mostly big game. It's been a long time since I have been bird hunting. But it does pain me to see the gun not being used.

Thanks again for the information.
 
Okay, the S/N from the bottom of the gun (excluding the last digit) is 1V 3486*. On the spare barrel it has, 1 kg 370, under that is V3410*, under that is a sideways B 7 345.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
from matt eastman's book, the 1V indicates it's a 1961 A5 magnum. serial numbers on the barrels seldom matched, so hard to say if the barrel is original, unless it has the same s/n as well. A very nice gun, produced at the height of browning quality.
 
What hurts resale is that the A5 Magnum was primarily a waterfowl gun, however the Belgium made barrels are not compatable with modern steel shot, regardless of choke (according to the Browning website).
 
I recently sold a Belgium made Light Twelve VR full choke A5 new in the box for $750. It was advertised on CGN and did not sell that quick.

It really varies on what you can get for them. Most people place too high a value.
 
Bowie said:
What hurts resale is that the A5 Magnum was primarily a waterfowl gun, however the Belgium made barrels are not compatable with modern steel shot, regardless of choke (according to the Browning website).
Click to expand...

That's not necesarily true, you can ream out the choke and shoot steel safely as long as you don't use the heaviest shot, I was told 5 and up would be quite safe by my gun smith


R:d:
 
That is a great looking gun - very well cared for judging by the pictures.

And as for the steel shot limitation, there is always bismuth (cha-ching).
 
PGM449 said:
That's not necesarily true, you can ream out the choke and shoot steel safely as long as you don't use the heaviest shot, I was told 5 and up would be quite safe by my gun smith


R:d:
Click to expand...
If you care, you may go to the Browning website, under "customer service" and "top questions", and read #14. It covers this question in some detail.
 
Would the barrel be made from a softer steel? I have one (been told it's from 1961) with a modified choke and was hooping to use it for ducks. I was told I could shoot steel, but this may be a bad thing.
 
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