sishyplops Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Hi all I have just acquired an original Browning A5 12 semi , can anyone help me with age/ info on this model as follows: Plain receiver with Browning FN the FN being in a circle under the word Browning Serial number 470744. (No letters) It's had a barrel change in it's life but this still says "fabrique nationale herstal" "*acier special-C12-cart.2 3/4" made in japan chrome" The barrel is a 29" full choke and is clearly much later than the action, Any help would be really appreciated Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypig Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 I have one too with a serial number not matching the published lists.... Check out browning USA website to find the historical reference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted April 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 I guess that puts it late 1953 even though the serial numbers do not go that high on there website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 FN serial numbers differ from Browning USA serial numbers; one being Belgian made, one American - different firms. Are there any other numbers stamped near the serial no? My A5's all have a serial number on one line, but above that line there are two larger digits - it is these two larger digits on the Belgian FN made A5's that give the year code. IF the digits "47" of the start of your number are a larger font to the rest of the serial no., then they'll be the year code I have the images on how to set up the friction rings, etc. & everytime I get another A5 I always buy a new recoil spring & the recoil assembly parts from Brownells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Proof marks are the key look up the liege proof mark codes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted April 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Thanks guys, no there are no other numbers above the serial number and the stamping is all the same size, I will look up the proof marks, is it worth anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 (edited) I have a a5 to, there's a browning Web site which tell you roughly the age and where it came from, Belgium or the us. Mine is a early one made in Belgium before the war. Don't think there's any great value in them, but there are great semi autos My serial number is just numbers to Atb Simon Edited April 30, 2014 by simon1979 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Here is the information that will date all browning A5's from 1903 to 1940. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=216472 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I found this website which should help with dates http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted May 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 (edited) Many Thanks thats the one i looked at Simon1979 it does not have the number that mine has on it thats why i am guessing late 1953, theres on on GT (i think) with a similar number as mine HDAV wont the proof mark be on the barrel? which has been changed on mine the only marks on the action other than the serial number and Browning FN is a symbol with RM and a scimitar sword under neath it this is London proof house i believe, there are two numbers under it that look like the stamp jumped when it was hit as they are not that clear but it looks like 91 which makes no sense as this would make it a Japanese gun if this indeed means 1991 Edited May 1, 2014 by sishyplops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 ive dated mine around 1930, both barrel and action will be proofed, even if its a different barrel, I will have a look at mine to see whats on it, I have a think theres a number on the front section of wood (over the magazine) is yours a section 1or2, have you any photos?? atb simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 I'll try and post some, it's section 2 . I think the barrel is worth more than the gun :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 the only marks on the action other than the serial number and Browning FN is a symbol with RM and a scimitar sword under neath it this is London proof house i believe, there are two numbers under it that look like the stamp jumped when it was hit as they are not that clear but it looks like 91 which makes no sense as this would make it a Japanese gun if this indeed means 1991 The RM is restricted magazine and 91 is the date London proof house inspected the mag tube restriction .Not when it was imported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Thanks Andy, I just won an A5 old brochure on flea bay, well chuffed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I have taken some photos of mine, but not sure to add them on here, but if your intrested I can email them over to you atb simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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