Browning A-5

DaveRP
Registered User
Posts: 1
(4/17/03 1:18:43 am)
Reply | Edit | Del All Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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I know my handguns and rifles, but have not really been into shotguns since I was in my teens. Now 20 years later, I think I may have the perfect excuse to get back into shotgunning.

I have someone wanting to sell, best I can tell by his descriptions, a Belgium Browning Auto 5, mag 20, ventilated rib. The gun is purported to be in "brand new" condition. It was purchased early 70's, has had two boxes of ammo shot through it during one session after it was first bought, and has been cased and stored in a closet since, only taken out to oil and admire ocassionally.

He said it had a "recoil pad" on it. Did Browning put recoil pads on Mag 20's in the early 70's? I'm a little concerned as I've not seen 20 ***** Auto 5's with recoil pads, but he says it has not been added, it was purchased new that way. I've seen mention of a 5/8" thick solid pad on the 20 guages somewhere?

He is willing to sell it to me for $400.00. I know I can't go wrong at that price, but just how "right" might this price be if it is Pre-portugal, and made in belgium, mag 20 in like new condition? I figure at that price, even if it was a japan Auto 5, I certianly couldn't go wrong. Anything above that is gravy......

Also, is there any real difference in the "assembled in Portugal" Belgium auto 5's either functionally, or value wise? I don't think this one was, but I'm curious.

I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but will next week. Just looking for some quick info in case he drops in with it unexpectedly at work over the next couple days. If it is what I think it is, I'm buying it on the spot. Poor guy doesn't know what he has.

Thanks for any info. Again, I'm not extremely familiar with this, or any other shotgun, and any help would be great. Not a lot of info on the net on the 20 ***** Auto 5's, and while I've shot several of them over the years, I don't know a lot about them, other than there is certainly a devoted following to the gun.

Thanks

MarlandS
Master Archivist
Posts: 1419
(4/17/03 6:28:13 am)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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There's not any difference in price that I've seen in assembled in Portugal guns. (can't say for sure if the A-5's ever were for sure) The big difference in A-5's is whether they were made by Miroku or not, and even then it's not a quality problem or functionality, just desirability. www.browning.com/faq/detail.asp?ID=90

AUTO-5 MAGNUM
- 12 or 20 ga., 3 in. chamber, 26, 28, 30, or 32 in. barrels, various chokes, VR, similar to Standard, 8½ - 9 lbs. Mfg. 1958-76 by FN, 1976-Feb. 1998 by Miroku.

Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
FN model. $725 $650 $550 $450 $400 $375 $350
FN-vent. rib. $925 $795 $695 $645 $575 $465 $415

Add 10% for NIB condition.
Add 15% for 20 ga. with VR if NIB.
Between 1976-1985 approx. 2,000 Belgian 12 ga. A-5 Mags. were imported into the U.S. These late models can be differentiated by serialization - also, slight premiums may be asked. The 20 ga. Mag. was not introduced until 1967.

As far as the recoil pad, I believe they were offered with them, especially if it has the Browning name on it, otherwise it would not hurt the value if it were not offered even among the most disciminating collectors since it would be a matter of two screws to correct. At the price you are getting it for, I wouldn't kick if it were an after market on in dayglow orange

DaveRP
Frequent SW Visitor
Posts: 7
(4/22/03 9:03:02 pm)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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Thanks for the great info! And, time for an update. I got it!

I'm not sure if the barrel is the original barrel. The seller tells me it is, and I know him, and he has no reason to lie. I just hope there wasn't some switcheroo by the dealer before the gun was sold.

Here's the info.

Auto 5 Mag 20 w/ vent rib. 26" barrel, full choke. Ser # 69X20*** Receiver marked "Magnum Twenty"

Barrel marked:

"Browning Arms Company St Louis Mo & Montreal PQ"
"Made in Belgium"

FN hard butt plate, with no scratches. No bluing wear, with one minor pinhead size spot of pitting at the rear most of the vent rib. A few minor handling dings on the stock, otherwise is 100%. It needs a good cleaning, and some TLC, and it is in beautiful shape!

Paid $550. He was getting wise it looked like, so I took it while the getting was good. If he left with it, I was afraid I'd never see it again, so I did it even with the doubts on the barrel. If the barrel is not the original match with the gun, it is still a steal. This gun will be babied and cared for, but it will be used.

Can't find any matching numbers on the barrel. What exactly, and where am I looking to match these two up? Right under the proof marks on the left side of the barrel, (not visible with foreend on), are the numbers X 4576. Did someone not want a full choke and switch out barrels?

MarlandS
Master Archivist
Posts: 1440
(4/22/03 10:11:52 pm)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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Hey Dave check out the Browning question in General about the barrel serial take it off and underneath should be the last three digits of your serial number

DaveRP
Frequent SW Visitor
Posts: 8
(4/22/03 11:53:51 pm)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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Thanks,

I saw that on the general forum.

Looks like I have a mismatch here, as the only set of numbers I see is the "X 47265" under the proof marks. Large numbers. Does not match the last 3 of the receiver.

Hmmm, kind of takes the "shine" off this deal a little, even though this gun is for personal pleasure and will never be sold. Somewhere along the way, the barrel must have been switched with another A5.

Good news is I've spent the past 3 hours cleaning the years off of and out of the nooks and crannies of this fine piece, and it gets more beautiful as the cleaning continues.

Have to try to not let the barrel thing take away from it for me.

MarlandS
Master Archivist
Posts: 1443
(4/23/03 12:02:40 am)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Belgium A5 mag 20 value, questions?
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the barrel only hurts collectors, don't let it bother you, those guns are too good to just stare at..