The Browning Auto.5.
John Moses Browning. B.Jan.23.1855-D.Nov.26.1926,Liege.
John Moses Browning`s design from the year 1903, brought about a revolution in the design of shotguns.The auto 5 was the first auto/self loading shotgun. The Winchester & Remington Companies were the first to be offered the manufacturing of the A.5. Winchester and Browning could not agree on terms,so it was Remington that obtained the manufacturing rights in America.
A larger market was found when John Moses went to Belgium and offered his design to the F.N.company,for distribution worldwide,with the exception of the U.S.A.which had already been granted to Remington.
The success of his guns in clay shooting competition in the early years at the Paris Olympics in 1924,Gold Medals of all Japan,Belgium Championship 1927 and the Paris World Championship 1928, all added to the demand for the A5.
Prior to the A5; John Moses Browning designed Winchester 1893 and 1897 models, of which the latter became one of the best selling slide action repeating shotguns of all time.The Browning designs were taken up by many,which is the testament to the mans greatness,and to his son Val,who designed the `Double Automatic`,two shot.
The Browning A5.Sadly no longer in production,but can be made to special order,is a gun of longevity and is a fine example of the gunmakers art.The A5
can be found with exotic finishes to both woodwork and engravings to the action,these models bring a hefty price premium and are a desirable addition to anyones collection.
Here in the U.K.The magazine capacity is,by law,restricted to two cartridges but this does not detract from the guns useability and handling.With its long recoil action it takes a bit of getting used to, but the benefit of less felt recoil is something that more than compensates,the weight is just right at around 8.lbs.
The standard stock is a bit low for clay shooting, although this can be altered with a comb raiser or adjustable stock to fit the shooter.
The recoil friction rings can be adjusted either by the amount/grade of oil on the magazine tube,or using or not using the steel ring which compresses the bronze friction ring onto the barrel under lug.If the steel ring is not used it should be placed between the recoil spring and the receiver, with the bevelled side towards the latter.For light 24.grm.loads this may stop any ejection problems, ejection problems however are very rare especially when using 28.grm.loads and above.Check the ejector claws on the breech bolt if ejection is a problem,they should have a reasonably sharp profile to catch the rim of the cartridge.
Japanese A5`s were available with screw in chokes as well as fixed chokes. They were available and still are,second hand,which make this fine gun even more versatile.Vent rib and plain rib barrels were also produced along with different lengths,guages.
Browning A.5.
Photographs/Diagrams.
Partial Takedown and lubrication of Mechanism.
After removal of barrel and forarm,remove stock. Unscrew locking screws and securing screws to the trigger guard. The assembly can then be pulled from the receiver. Remove the carrier spring with the aid of a small screwdriver. Unscrew the locking screws and carrier screws,remove the carrier.
This is as far as you need to go for cleaning and lubrication.
Do not use WD.40; on blued parts of actions or barrels as this will remove the finish after time, bluing being a corrosive process,WD.40.Being an anti corrosion lubricant.
Use a good quality oil applied sparingly to internals. Gun wipes are available for cleaning and protecting the exterior finish to barrels and actions.
Browning dates,history,patents.
The John Moses Browning patent No.659.507 for a recoil operated firearm dated
October 9th.1900 is in fact the true beginning of the Auto 5`s history.The patent drawings show the close resemblance to the production Browning A5.as we now know it.
Production began in 1902.With the first shipment to the U.S.A.of 10,000 arriving in 1903 from F.N. Marked: Browning Automatic Arms Co. Ogden Utah U.S.A.
Unfortunately the serial No.Records for these early examples are, as most pre war records are,speculative. After production serial No.228,000. (1939) records can be relied upon more accurately.From 1940-1946** Remington Arms took over the manufacture,these were stamped on the side of the receiver with the serial No. with A. for 16.guage. B. for 12.guage and C.for the 20 guage.
Date. Serial No.
1940 to 1946. 228,000-237,000
1947. 237,001-249,000
1948. 249,001-270,000
1949. 270,001-285,000
1950. 285,001-315,000
1951. 315,001-346,000
1952. 346,001-387,000 ............Production reverted to F.N.
1953. 387,001-438,000
1954- H1. -H83,000.............Serial No.System Changed.Prefix letters-
1955. L1. -L83,000. ............ H.= Std. L.= Lightweight.
1956. H83,001-H99,000
G1. -G23,000............Serial No`s.For lightweight changed to G.
Prefix.
1957. M.22,000-85,000.............Serial No.For Std. weight =M.
G.23,001-85,000 .............G. Prefix retained for Lightweight.
1958.- G.85,001-G.99,000......... Serial No.Changed to year/letter system
1967. year-followed by model-followed by
serial No. Example = 8.=1958.model M.
then serial No.= 8M1234 would be an
Auto 5.1958 std.weight ser.No.1234.
8G.1 -8G2000.
1968.- Date codes using two digits introduced. Example = 68G1234 will
be a 1968 Auto 5.Lightweight model,serial No.1234. Beginning
1976.* with serial No.1000 for each year.
1976.- Browning standardised (not before time)sic. Up to 1998.(spoke too
1997. soon)! Example =
Types of Auto 5.Designations: 151= 12.guage.Magnum.
161 = 20.guage.Magnum.
211 = 12.guage.Light.
221 = 16.guage./Sweet Sixteen.
231 = 20.guage.Light.
Date Codes.
Two Digit. Z = 1.
Y = 2.
X = 3.
W = 4.
V = 5.
T = 6.
R = 7.
P = 8.
N = 9.
M = 0.
Beginning with serial No.01001 at the start of every new year. Example = 12002RP211.
This would be an Auto 5 Light 12.guage of 1978 manufacture serial No.12002.
1999.-
2000.(sad day)........ The Browning Semi-Automatic Long Recoil Shotgun will be discontinued
from the end of 1999.
Commemorative Models were made from 1999 as a tribute.
The serial numbers starting 1001.each year.
Two digit code.
FT.for Final Tribute.
* The Auto 5, in 1976, started to be manufactured by Miroku.Japan.
**The Auto 5, started production F.N.Belgium in 1902.Restrictive import tariffs imposed,manufacture moved to Remington for U.S.A market. 1940-1942 German occupation stopped F.N.production. Remington Model 11 introduced, for Browning this had the magazine cut off added. America`s entry into the war ended production. 1945-1945 Remington producing the A5 again. 1946 production of the Auto 5 moved back to F.N.Belgium.
1948.The Light 12.introduced, Belgium production continued. 1965 saw the first moves by the Browning Company towards the Miroku connection.
