Paulem Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Hi all , just got this old auto 5 , having looked at all the browning serial no lists it doesn't seem to match anything, normally on european a5's there are two small numbers before the serial which is the date prefix,this one has me stumped and wondered if anyone could shed some light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Best bet ask Browning. No doubt then.. If you email them they will reply soonest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opossum Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 According to https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=216472 it's 1914. I used this to date my 1907 along with the useful diagrams. I'm not sure when they used the year prefix but on my 1960 model it's obviously separate to the main serial so I don't think yours is a 1946 model for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) One check is if the gun has an autoload feature. This came in in the 1950s I think. If the gun is empty and the bolt back with the breech open insert a cartridge the NORMAL way from underneath. The gun will autoload itself loading your fresh cartridge directly into the chamber. https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html If Belgian proofed you can work out the date, pretty much, from the receiver proof marks. https://photos.smugmug.com/Belgian/Proof-Marks/i-zRPkSfH/0/790724f3/L/Belgian date codes-L.jpg Edited March 13, 2021 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulem Posted March 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 21 minutes ago, Opossum said: According to https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=216472 it's 1914. I used this to date my 1907 along with the useful diagrams. I'm not sure when they used the year prefix but on my 1960 model it's obviously separate to the main serial so I don't think yours is a 1946 model for example. Thanks, I'd like to think it was a 1914 model, however the safety on this one is at the rear of the trigger and I'm led to believe that this was only on guns produced after ww2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opossum Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 11 minutes ago, Paulem said: Thanks, I'd like to think it was a 1914 model, however the safety on this one is at the rear of the trigger and I'm led to believe that this was only on guns produced after ww2. Ah fair enough, my 1907 had a serial number that checked out on that site, but it was also the features of that early era that confirmed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulem Posted March 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 36 minutes ago, enfieldspares said: One check is if the gun has an autoload feature. This came in in the 1950s I think. If the gun is empty and the bolt back with the breech open insert a cartridge the NORMAL way from underneath. The gun will autoload itself loading your fresh cartridge directly into the chamber. https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html If Belgian proofed you can work out the date, pretty much, from the receiver proof marks. https://photos.smugmug.com/Belgian/Proof-Marks/i-zRPkSfH/0/790724f3/L/Belgian date codes-L.jpg Yes the gun is fitted with the speed load, I'll check out the proof marks and see if that sheds some light, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 For those that haven't seen how the speedload works here it is: https://youtu.be/6b3WcCVyW5s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowdy Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 I love the speed loader on my A5 . I used to have a early A5 with the suicide switch pre tinterweb .I sold it not knowing how old it was!! My current A5 Also has RR on the serial no which just so happen to be my Initials as well😉 . Now if i could only find a extended mag tube for it... Mowdy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opossum Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Ah yes, the speed load! It's a drop-in fit for older guns too. My 1907 wears a straight stock, no-rib 25" barrel and speed load feature. It's awesome. And yes the speed load feature would make it post 1950's so my guesses were even more hopeless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 1957 the last of the serial numbers before the letter prefix was added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulem Posted March 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 19 minutes ago, Andy H said: 1957 the last of the serial numbers before the letter prefix was added. Excellent, thanks Andy, makes it older than me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted March 14, 2021 Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 Hi gents, I have been trying to date my A5 but without much luck. All of the above doesn't get me anywhere.mine is marked as follows. In small size 59 thenin larger size 7650. Any thoughts please. Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulem Posted March 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 33 minutes ago, point and shoot said: Hi gents, I have been trying to date my A5 but without much luck. All of the above doesn't get me anywhere.mine is marked as follows. In small size 59 thenin larger size 7650. Any thoughts please. Les I think it's a 59 Les, most of the ones I've seen, the first two small numbers are the year prefix followed by the serial no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 I agree Paulem, but it doesn't feature in any charts or lists that I have seen. Seems odd. Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulem Posted March 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 I've got 2 auto 5's a 61 which has the smaller year prefix numbers and the one above, neither tally with any of the serial no lists I've found online. I was told that guns manufactured for the European market were numbered differently than those for the us market that's why they dont tally as most of the list are of us origin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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