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Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940 https://www.shotgunworld.com:443/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=216472	Page 1 of 28

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:14 am ]
Post subject:	Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
Gentlemen, In an other thread: viewtopic.php?f=53&t=215947&p=1798520 “3rdbuttondown” asked for a Browning Auto 5 timeline thread. I like his idea and I try to start. But before I’ll do so, some general remarks: 1/ basis of the following are guns discussed on this forum, my own guns, info I gathered from the internet and of course the book “Browning Auto-5 Shotguns – The Belgian FN Production” by H. M. Shirley Jr. and Anthony Vanderlinden (in the following: SV). There are “white spots” though, especially when it comes to pre-1909 A5s. I tried to fill the gaps as best as I can. But not all info given for guns in the 1903 to 1909 timeframe are exact – the info reflects my current knowledge. And I am still learning. 2/ I’m not a native English speaker and there will be mistakes in language. If you find something what can be corrected in language (especially grammar), please send me a PM and I’ll gladly correct it. 3/ My main interested are the pre 1940 A5s. I’m simply lost with the post 1940 A5s. I’d be happy to see a fellow willing to continue the timeline for guns made after 1940. If this fellow like to have drawings like the ones shown hereinafter: advise, and I’ll make them. 4/ The drawings shown hereinafter were made by myself, based on observed features. There may be mistakes in it – advise by PM, and I will correct them. 5/ I’m referring to technical details only when a change was made, e.g. I’m referring to locking screws only in 1909, when they were introduced. If there is no reference to a specific feature in later years, that means, no changes were made. 6/ abbreviations: SN = serial number SV = Shirley/Vanderlinden “Browning Auto-5 Shotguns – The Belgian FN Production”, first edition, 2003, Wet Dog Publications, Greensboro, NC; ISBN:0-9707997-1-3 7/ Hopefully, the following isn’t too boring for you! If you find anything what should be corrected or amended, please advise via PM. Enjoy! Regards Martin

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1903 Overview Beginning of series production of the Auto 5 in 12 gauge (only) by FN. First 500 approximately had a two part trigger housing and the patent dates on the trigger housing. An example for such a gun (SN 1) is shown in SV, page 51. An example for a later 1903 A5 SN 2996 is shown here: http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openThe ... akeyourown Serial number range 1 - 4121 Receiver legend FABRIQUE - NATIONALE - HERSTAL - LIEGE. BELGIUM – BROWNING’S – PATENTS. OCT. 9. 1900 – DEC. 17. 1901 – SEPT. 30. 1902 – JUNE. 16. 1903 Barrel address (US market) BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS Co OGDEN UTAH U.S.A. Barrel address (non-US market) FABRIQUE –NATIONALE - HERSTAL-LIEGE. BELGIUM. Barrel steel indication COCKERILL STEEL Barrel Ring mounted on ramp Barrel Rib none Barrel Chamber length 2 ¾” (70 mm) for the US market – 2 9/16” (65 mm) for the European market Receiver features Square cartridge stop. Punch port over screw of carrier assembly (large diameter on left, small diameter on right). Straight horizontal edge interrupted only by front screw of trigger assembly. Operating handle wedge-shaped. Magazine tube secured by a screw located on the right side. Carrier latch button plain and having small diameter. Recoil spring Square coils Safety “Suicide safety” – safety type 1 Magazine cut-off none Magazine Tube/Screw Cap Tube with fine thread at front end – cap with two rings and corresponding fine thread Trigger Straight Stock/Forearm features Mostly straight English stock with no checkering. Some with checkering. Forearm with finger groove not extending all way to the front, but having a “stop” Buttplate Thick hard rubber with distinctive mold pattern on the back Proofs Inspector’s marking Star/J on bolt and receiver. Most (but not all ?) are only black-powder proofed and lacking Belgian Lion over P.V. smokeless proof. Misc. Most are like described above, but some have features of 1904 guns. See 1904 for these.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1904 Overview In 1904, four different variations have been observed with overlapping serial numbers: 1904-A: Identical to the above described 1903 model, but having SNs of 1904. Inspector’s marking Star/T (all?). A nice engraved example of a 1904-A SN 7312 is shown in SV, page 207. Said #7312 has inspector’s marking Star/T and no smokeless powder proof. 1904-B:Like the above described 1903s and having 1903 SNs, but with a magazine cut-off and a safety type 2 factory installed. 1904-Bs actually are 1903 made shotguns “updated” in 1904 by FN before they were shipped. These 1903 receivers (but having the “1904 service pack”) have Inspector’s marking star/J but a smokeless powder proof. Examples: SN 2506, discussed here viewtopic.php?f=53&t=202856&p=1674208 and SN 1842, discussed here viewtopic.php?f=53&t=214348 1904-C: like a 1904-B, but SNs of the 1904 SN range, have all features of 1903s, but have the “1904 service pack” installed also. Inspector’s marking star/T, smokeless powder proof Lion/P.V. An example for a 1904-C is Jeff Mull’s #12658 shown/discussed here: viewtopic.php?t=134453&view=next 1904-D:Punch port moved towards front of receiver. Magazine tube secured by screw of magazine cut-off – no screw on right side. Inspector’s marking star/T and smokeless powder proof lion over P.V. Type 2 safety and long magazine cut-off, now installed regularly. Example: SN 12400, discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=53&t=196952 Serial number range 4122 – 15300 Barrel steel indication COCKERILL STEEL or ACIER SPECIAL Receiver features Depending of the variation (see above). Only variation 1904-D has some totally new features: Punch port moved forward to allow disassembly of the breech in the forward position. Magazine tube secured by screw of the magazine cut-off – no screw located on the right side. Safety Safety type 1 (on variation 1904-A) or type 2 (on variations 1904-B, 1904-C and 1904-D) Magazine cut-off none on variation 1904-A / short type magazine cut-off on variations 1904-B and 1904-C / long type magazine cut-off on variation 1904-D Proofs Inspector’s marking Star/J on bolt and receiver (var. 1904-A and 1904-B) or Inspector’s marking Star/T on bolt and receiver (at least, var. 1904-D). Misc. 1904 is the year, when FN introduced a new safety (type 2) and the magazine cut-off. Both improvements were FN inventions (not invented by John M. Browning). According to an early FN manual, all A5s above SN 14000 should have a magazine cut-off –but some don’t (see under 1906). FN filed patents for the magazine cut-off filed in Belgian patent office on January 23, 1904 In the patent drawing is shown the early “short” type of the magazine cut-off with short spring, short lever with flat back. This type can be found at least on variations 1904-B and 1904-C, while on 1904-D variations (and later guns) the “long” variation (long lever with rib on back) is present. For better understanding, here’s a photo of the early lever with flat back: FN filed a patent for the type 2 Safety type 2 in Belgian patent office on January 23, 1904 Note: Between 1904 and 1923 no exports of FN made Browning Auto 5 to the US (according to SV).

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1905 Overview No known changes. The very few observed are identical to the 1904-D variation. Maybe the design change of the operating handle was made already in 1905. Serial number range 15301 - 19920

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1906 Overview Two design changes: operating handle and cartridge stop. Serial number range 19921 - 22320 Receiver features Cartridge stop now rounded on lower edge. Operating handle fin shaped. Magazine cut-off none or long type Magazine Tube/Screw Cap Tube with coarse thread at front end – cap with two rings and corresponding coarse thread Misc. While most should have a magazine cut-off, there is known at least one, which does not have a magazine cut-off. This one is Jeff Mull’s “Droopy” SN 22629, shown/discussed here: viewtopic.php?t=134453&view=next

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1907 Overview No known design changes. Only the receiver address changed slightly at some point. Also, “Acier Special” and “Special Steel”, respectively, instead of “Cockerill Steel”. Serial number range 22321 – 26970 Receiver legend FABRIQUE - NATIONALE - HERSTAL - LIEGE. BELGIUM – BROWNING’S – PATENTS. OCT. 9. 1900 – DEC. 17. 1901 – SEPT. 30. 1902 – JUNE. 16. 1903 Or FABRIQUE - NATIONALE - HERSTAL - LIEGE. BELGIUM – BROWNING’S – PATENTS. DÉPOSÉ OCT. 9. 1900 – DEC. 17. 1901 – SEPT. 30. 1902 – JUNE. 16. 1903 Barrel steel indication ACIER SPECIAL or SPECIAL STEEL Stock/Forearm features Mostly straight English stock checkering. Some already with round pistol grip. Misc. While SN 24924 still has the old receiver legend (without “Déposé”), SN 26376 already has the legend plus “Déposé”. Said A5 is shown here: http://talks.guns.ru/forummessage/60/081427-53.html

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1908 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 26971 - 30446 Misc. According to a 1908 dated German gun catalog, shown/discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=53&t=200676&p=1655717 availability of lock screws and a carrier latch button with larger diameter for some extra $$ is mentioned. None 1908 made A5 has been observed yet having already lock screws and a large button.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1909 Overview A lot of design changes. Beginning of series production of the Auto 5 in 16 gauge in an own SN block. Serial number range 12 gauge 30447 – 33431 Serial number range 16 gauge 1 - 3200 Receiver legend FABRIQUE - NATIONALE - HERSTAL - LIEGE. BELGIUM – BROWNING’S – PATENTS. DÉPOSÉ OCT. 9. 1900 – DEC. 17. 1901 – SEPT. 30. 1902 – JUNE. 16. 1903 Or FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE Barrel steel indication ACIER SPECIAL Receiver features Lower horizontal edge interrupted by a reinforcing “bump”. Lock screws. Carrier latch button with concentric circles and having large diameter. Punch port on left side with small diameter. Rearward end of slide handle groove rounded. Safety Front trigger guard safety with locking latch (Safety Type 3) Stock/Forearm features Straight English stock or Stock with pistol grip. Forearm with finger groove running through all way to the front. Buttplate A/Thick hard rubber with distinctive mold pattern on the back like 1903 – 1908 A5s (SN 33024 still has this buttplate) B/ Horn buttplate with FN logo only: Misc. In 1909, the type 3 safety was introduced. Another FN invention, patented at least in France. Said patent was filed in French Patent Office on April 28, 1908 The 16 gauge A5 (with short 2 9/16” = 65 mm chamber only) has a slightly different appearance due to a shorter receiver.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1910 to 1914 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 1910: 33432 - 35630 1911: 35631 - 35925 1912: 35926 - 38988 1913: 38989 - 44250 1914: 44251 - 47298 Serial number range 16 gauge There is only vague info about 16 ga SNs in SV (page 74) for the time 1910 to 1914. SNs 3201 – 15000 were invoiced between 1st Jan. 1910 and 30th June 1913. Last shipped before the outbreak of WWI was SN 19642.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1915 to 1918 Overview No production due to German occupation of Belgium during WWI.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:21 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1919 to 1922 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 1919: 47719 - 47950 1920: 47299 - 47718 1921: 48951 - 53500 1922: 53501 - 58150 Serial number range 16 gauge 1919: 19671- 20500 1920: 20501 - 22237 1921: 22238 - 24050 1922: 24051 – 26000

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:21 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1923 Overview Some minor design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 58151 - 62600 Serial number range 16 gauge 26001 - 28400 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH BROWNING’S PATENT Barrel Ring no more ramp; ring forged in one with with the barrel Barrel Rib none or solid rib (hollow matted raised rib) (SV page 98) Recoil spring Round coils. This change may have occurred a little later (1924 or 1925). See discussion about square/round recoil spring here: viewtopic.php?f=53&t=187139 Trigger Curved Buttplate Horn buttplate type 3 – now again with “Browning” and “Automatic” around the FN logo. Smooth on back. The change in the buttplate may have occurred a little later (1924 or 1925), as there are some 1924 and 1925 made A5s still having the type 2 buttplate with the FN logo only. Misc. Note: the a. m. changes may have occurred also a little later (buttplate, recoil spring) or a little earlier (trigger).

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1924 to 1928 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 1924: 62601 - 69300 1925: 69301 - 79150 1926: 79151 - 88000 1927: 88001 - 106250 1928: 106251 - 127650 Serial number range 16 gauge (see SV, page 75) 1924: 28401 - 35650 1925: 35651 – 40010 (app.) 1926: 40011 (app.) - 51600 1927: 51601 - 57900 1928: 57901 - 65100 Misc. Belgian Proof Law changed in 1924. Since 1924, the gauge marking changed from e. g. “12 C inside a diamond” to e.g. 12-70 in a open oval. The first two digits are the gauge (12, 16, and so on) while the last two digits are the chamber length in millimetres (70 = 2 ¾”, 65 = 2 9/16”). More interesting: the Belgians introduced (already in 1922) a year code. If you know the year code, you can determine when a specific gun was proofed – and probably made. An overview on Belgian Proof markings and Date codes is here: http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html The date codes are a good source for checking a manufacturing date, while the data given in SV is sometimes vague (what’s not SV’s fault ! There seem to be huge gaps in FN’s records). E.g., I’m aware of a 16 gauge SN 92416. According to SV’s SN data, the gun should have been made in 1931 – but the gun has a proof date code “h” indicating proof in 1929. So don’t rely too much on the above SN data – especially, when it comes to 16 gauge A5s.

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1929 Overview No known design changes, except for newly available ventilated barrel rib (as an option) and barrel address change. Serial number range 12 gauge 127651 - 154500 Serial number range 16 gauge 65101 - 82750 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH AND ST LOUIS MO Barrel Rib none or ventilated rib with X posts (SV page 98)

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:23 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1930 Overview No known design changes, except for barrel address change. Serial number range 12 gauge 154501 - 177100 Serial number range 16 gauge 82751 - 90500 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:23 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1931 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 177101 - 182300 Serial number range 16 gauge 90501 - 94000

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1932 Overview Introduction of the three shot Auto 3 with shorter magazine tube and shorter forearm marked “Browning 3 Shot” (SV, page 119) Serial number range 12 gauge 182301 - 182788 Serial number range 16 gauge 94001 - 96072

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1933 Overview No known design changes. Serial number range 12 gauge 182789 - 183152 Serial number range 16 gauge 96073 - 96143

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1934 Overview No known design changes except for change in receiver legend. Serial number range 12 gauge 183153 - 185560 Serial number range 16 gauge 96144 - 99500 Receiver legend Now with BROWNING and John M. Browning’s bust between “TRADE” and “MARK”

Author:	sauerfan [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Timeline for the Browning Auto 5 1903 – 1940
1935 Overview Introduction of the Magazine Adaptor plugs. These plugs were an invention of Browning’s employees John E. Russel, Douglas B. Ellis and Robert E. Gardiner. They filed a US patent No. 2,026,252 on 9th February 1935 and assigned their invention to Browning: Serial number range 12 gauge 185561 - 191604 Serial number range 16 gauge 99501 - 103500

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