Older Browning A5s-anybody's favorite?

[Stephen Nash]

Very nice 16 gauge. Most of the nicest engraved auto-5 were done on 16 gauge. The serial number would tell us a lot. The barrel should have the marking "acier spécial". Why do you think it is specifically one of those two date?

Serial number is 131317 (no prefix letter). Barrel is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE - HERSTAL - BELGIQUE” over “ACIER SPECIAL - C.16 - CART. 2 1/2”. It has the usual Belgian proofs, though curiously marked “16-70”. Bore size 16.7. Barrel chamber and bolt numbered ‘317’, presumably matched to the serial number of the frame, and the barrel ‘ring’ that fits over the spring has the full serial number. No choke markings, but I assume it is full. There are a few tiny machinists’s marks as well (eg. 7 within a square). Other than the ‘Browning’s Patent Depose’ and the ‘Browning Automatic’ butt plate, there is no Browning markings or address. Hopefully this can help determine a date of manufacture?

I can’t find the original reference I had which suggested a 1932 date - it might be 1947, or even later, depending on how the markings and numberings differ between FN and Browning Arms guns, and whether Sweet Sixteen markings post-1948 only appeared on Browning Arms guns. Too much conflicting information, I’m confused now! But it is a lovely gun to shoot. Other than a few external barrel discolourations and the worn chequering, it is in good shape for a well-used field gun.

 

[MBiz]

Serial number is 131317 (no prefix letter). Barrel is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE - HERSTAL - BELGIQUE” over “ACIER SPECIAL - C.16 - CART. 2 1/2”. It has the usual Belgian proofs, though curiously marked “16-70”. Bore size 16.7. Barrel chamber and bolt numbered ‘317’, presumably matched to the serial number of the frame, and the barrel ‘ring’ that fits over the spring has the full serial number. No choke markings, but I assume it is full. There are a few tiny machinists’s marks as well (eg. 7 within a square). Other than the ‘Browning’s Patent Depose’ and the ‘Browning Automatic’ butt plate, there is no Browning markings or address. Hopefully this can help determine a date of manufacture?



I can’t find the original reference I had which suggested a 1932 date - it might be 1947, or even later, depending on how the markings and numberings differ between FN and Browning Arms guns, and whether Sweet Sixteen markings post-1948 only appeared on Browning Arms guns. Too much conflicting information, I’m confused now! But it is a lovely gun to shoot. Other than a few external barrel discolourations and the worn chequering, it is in good shape for a well-used field gun.

Following the NRA serialization table, in 1947, the last S.N. before it switched to the X prefix is 130616. However, like the 12 gauge, I believe the auto-5 that was destined for the European market kept the same serialization method up to the 50’s and then they adopt the prefix. Your 16 gauge is probably a 1947/48. It would be interesting to have a pic of the markings on the barrel. We can try to decipher them.