Browning FN Auto-5 A5 A-5 Magnum Twenty 20 GA 27.5″ Semi-Auto Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $1675
LSB#: 211006EG10
Make: FN in Belgium for Browning
Model: Auto-5 Magnum Twenty
Serial Number: 69X35063
Year of Manufacture: 1969 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 20 Gauge with 3” Chamber
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM” and with Belgian proofs. The right side of the barrel is marked “**SPECIAL STEEL – 20 GAUGE – SHELLS 3?”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number at the front. The left of the receiver is marked “Magnum Twenty / BROWNING” and with a bust portrait of John Browning. The receiver has tasteful Grade I engraving. The barrel is marked “X38431”.
Barrel Length: 27 1/2?, Vent-Rib
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight was a red bead in a base at the front of the ventilated rib but the bead has broken off. The top of the rib is finely checkered and the top of the receiver is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with finger-grooved forend, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and black plastic FN Browning buttplate. There are a few scattered scuffs, compressions, little spots of finish loss, and a couple of little scratches. There is some faint crazing to the finish. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4? to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered light wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the barrel is not original to the receiver.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is some thinning and finish loss on the edges. There are some scuffs on the receiver that have thinned the finish, the most noticeable are on the top. There are a few little spots of oxidation on the receiver. There are a few little spots of thinning and little marks on the barrel. There is some operational thinning on the barrel. There are a few little nicks and light scratches on the barrel, most noticeable at the muzzle. There are a couple of spots of light oxidation on the barrel. The front sight bead has broken off. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a magazine cutoff on the left front of the receiver, a safety at the rear of the trigger guard and a bolt release on the right side of the receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Browning Automatic 5, most often referred to as Auto-5 or simply A-5, is a recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed by John Browning. The Browning Auto-5 was the first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun. Designed by John Browning in 1898 and patented in 1900, it was produced continually for almost 100 years by several makers with production ending in 1998. It features a distinctive high rear end, earning it the nickname “Humpback”. Browning presented his design to Winchester, where he had sold his rifle designs, but they refused his terms. He then went to Remington, but the president of the company died while he was waiting to offer them the gun. Browning then took the gun to FN in Europe and was so confident of his design that his first order was for 10,000 shotguns. The design was later licensed to Remington for their Model 11 and to Savage Arms for their Models 720 and 755. During WWII, production of the Auto-5 was moved to Remington alongside the Model 11 until FN could resume production after the war. This Auto-5 Magnum Twenty was built by FN in 1969 with Grade I engraving on the receiver. It is chambered for 20 GA. 3” shells, has a 27 1/2” Modified choked barrel and a full-length ventilated rib. This shotgun shows wear consistent with use in the field, but has a bright bore and strong mechanics. This is a well-made shotgun and a functioning piece of history. Please see our photos and good luck!