Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

He never touches anything but his Ruger Single Six revolverand Idon't make a habit of rummaging through their bedroom but apparentlyhas a Browning Auto loader 12gashotgun that's been around a while. I don't know if it's from age or lack of care or both but the butt pad has deteriorated a good bit. Other than that still looks to be in good working order though. It had "Made In Belgium" I think it was stamped on the barrel. Aren't they made in Asia now?

I'm going to try and get the serial number run on it just to see. I also plan to get it looked over by a gunsmith and possibly pull it out labor day weekend for dove hunting just to give it a shot.

I know it's no Revolutionary warmusket or anything but it was still a fun find for me.

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

If it is an A-5 they were made there first and later in Japan. They don't make them anymore. They just stopped making them not that long ago though. You may have something other than an A-5.

Most Browning guns were made over seas in Belgium or Japan I believe.

Paul

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

If I am not mistaken, the Belgian made A-5's had a solid Butt Plate, not a pad.You could either replace the pad or place an original butt plate back on it. Either way, it's an easy fix.

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

Paul, you can still have the FN factory make you one on Special Order....


My fiancee now my wife of 40yrs, bought me one at Sears & Roebuck the day before Xmas in 1966 for $174.95...It's an A-5 12ga Mod.w/28" RB. The picture shows it with aHastings Rifled Barrel....... I have a 28" Mod.RB, a 30" Full ChokePlain Barrel and the Hastings Fully Rifled barrel for it...:)

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

ya, I knew the custom shop still listed them, but they are not in production anymore. Pretty pricey though;). A far cry from what you paid for yours.

My stalker was $450 used and I have been told I got a deal on it.

Paul

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

Two years ago at the Gun Show here in Tampa, FL, I wanted a Used A-5 16ga made in Belgiumthat caught my eye on a table that had atleast 100 Brownings on it............The guy would not go lower than $1,300......:)

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

I've got a Belgian Browning Sweet Sixteen that I bought in 1966 also. It's lovely and a GREAT shotgun. I'll never part with it. Seems like I paid over $200 for it way back then. Could be mistaken tho... that was a while ago.

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

Lucky man, lucky man........;)

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

I have 53 16 gauge Belguim Browning Auto-5, love it. It was passed to me from my grandfather. Here is the link to the serial number page on the browning site. http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=13

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

Brownings site isn't very accurate. If you want info on a browing gun, expecially an A-5 check out shotgunworld.com and go to the Browning Lovers section. There are plenty of guys that can help you out with what you own and date it for you. There are some real A-5 nuts there.

Paul

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

Plain and simple Don ............ That is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship -and a keeper.

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

I'm a big fan of Belgium made Browning firearms, and I too own a few A-5's in 20, 16 & 12ga, even an old Remington model 11 (same as the A-5) in 16ga.

Congrats on the find, sounds like your dad is ok with you taking herout of retirement.I hope you have many years of service with it.

RE: Was cleaning my dad's firearms for him yesterday and made a discovery
 

A-5's are some sweet shooters, I own a belgian 12ga (1954) and my dad has two belgian A-5 lights (gold trigger)(circa 1950's). We use them for just about everything. Come to think of it I'll be using mine first day of dove season. Gotta love my brownings.