FN Browning Auto 5 without Browning Logo

[LOWENHART]

Greetings forum!
I have FN Auto 5 in 12 gauge made in Belgium,without any logo on the receiver,none,plain and bold
Serial number starts with FN A73773
25,5” barrel *** marked (Cylinder bore),sling swivels and gold washed trigger
Anyone would know the year of production for this gun or explain me, please,why receiver does not have typical J.M.Browning picture on it or any engravings at all???
Typical browning FN Auto 5 horn type plate
I’ve had and have a few Auto 5 in my life but I’ve never seen a receiver like this before
Any information on this one is much appreciated
Lowenhart

 

[threecentsolution]

Possibly war time manufacture?

 

[iron cat]

Possibly war time manufacture?

According to what I can find, it's prewar.
Cat

 

[madtrapper143]

Cross bolt safety dates it early 1950's at the earliest. That gun was imported from Belgium. It was made to be sold in Europe. IIRC FN was licensed to make Auto 5 models non Browning marked (except the butt plate) for the gun trade on the continent.
Darryl

 

[tiriaq]

Browning marked guns were marketed by the Browning Arms Company. FN marked guns weren't. As mentioned, different marketing areas.

 

[iron cat]

Cross bolt safety dates it early 1950's at the earliest. That gun was imported from Belgium. It was made to be sold in Europe. IIRC FN was licensed to make Auto 5 models non Browning marked (except the butt plate) for the gun trade on the continent.
Darryl

One thing I missed was the pistol grip stock, definitely newer than prewar! I was only looking at the serial number

 

[madtrapper143]

It is a challenge to figure out Auto 5 production dates on early models.
Darryl

 

[saskbooknut]

Every FN produced Auto5 has Belgian proof marks, which have a date code starting in 1922.
Browning only retained exclusive marketing in North America. FN marketed the Auto5 everywhere else in the world. I don't have a serial number reference for World Market Auto 5s.

 

[Lodi]

The forearm looks like a replacement, not sure on the buttstock.

Horn or plastic?

 

[kamlooky]

You could dare go forth and call Browning with the serial number.
I'd bet they'd know what it is.

 

[LOWENHART]

Thanks everyone for the important info
Wooden furniture looks very nice and new on it,Vent Rib production started in early 60th?
My guess is that wood isn’t original to the receiver,so is the barrel
But gold washed trigger?Possibly changed too?
Butt stock plate is plastic

 

[madtrapper143]

Fore end and magazine cap are not original. The mag cap is Japanese and the fore end is Belgian made but not original. The gun was built in 1960 and the rest of it looks like it should. If the barrel was for export it would likely have been bored IMP CYL and not CYL. That would make me think the barrel probably belongs to the gun. Belgian mag caps only have two knurled rings. Japan made caps have three.
Darryl

 

[MBiz]

Is the receiver and/or the trigger guard made of steel or alloy? Usually A stand for allégé

 

[LOWENHART]

Fore end and magazine cap are not original. The mag cap is Japanese and the fore end is Belgian made but not original. The gun was built in 1960 and the rest of it looks like it should. If the barrel was for export it would likely have been bored IMP CYL and not CYL. That would make me think the barrel probably belongs to the gun. Belgian mag caps only have two knurled rings. Japan made caps have three.
Darryl

Good point,thank for your help!
Lowenhart

 

[LOWENHART]

Is the receiver and/or the trigger guard made of steel or alloy? Usually A stand for allégé

I’ll check it out

 

[Canuck65]

FN or Miroku? - made for a market outside North America. That would be my guess.

Just a side note - I think the Miroku A5s were the best of them.

 

[LuckyAuto5]

LOWENHART Did you ever get to the bottom of this mystery?

 

[sillymike]

Maybe it's hard to tell from the picture... but the wear and tear on the metal doesn't seem to match the condition of the wood (looks much nicer)
- Maybe a FN made Auto5, that someone installed some Browning furniture? (just thinking out loud)