Browning Auto-5 A-5 A5 Stalker Light Twelve 12 GA Semi-Automatic Shotgun
SOLD FOR: $1030
LSB#: 220419JR084
Make: Miroku for Browning Arms
Model: Auto 5 Stalker Light Twelve
Serial Number: 12685NYT11
Year of Manufacture: 1992
Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING AUTO-5 / INVECTOR SPECIAL STEEL 12 GAUGE SHELLS – 2 3/4″ – 22″ / BROWNING PATENTS”. The left side of the receiver is marked “Light Twelve / ® / BROWNING” with a bust portrait of John M. Browning, the underside has the serial number. The receiver, tangs and trigger guard have tasteful Grade I engraving. The bottom of the trigger guard has a gold-filled Buck Mark logo.
Barrel Length: 22”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Threaded for Invector chokes, Improved Cylinder is currently installed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered black synthetic set with a round-bottom pistol grip, ventilated black rubber Browning recoil pad and finger grooves running the length of the forend. The stocks have some scattered light scuffs and handling marks with some residue in the checkering in the right of the wrist. The checkering is generally sharp with light handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the gold colored trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The pad has hardened slightly with age but shows little wear, in about Very Good-Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good-Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel has light operational wear from the forend on each side and scattered very faint frosting in otherwise strong finish. The receiver’s finish shows more notable frosting throughout with thinning finish at edges, handling wear in the tangs and on the bottom-front of the receiver. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates 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 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 is a Stalker lightweight model which was built by Miroku in 1992 with Grade I engraving in the matte-finished receiver and tangs. The Stalker was offered in a Light Twelve configuration with a 22″ barrel threaded for Invector chokes. This example is in about Very Good condition with a bright bore, strong mechanics, and what appears to be strong finish from a distance, but on close inspection shows scattered frosting, thinning and handling wear. With its shorter barrel, this would be a good choice for hunting where one expects closer shots on fast-moving birds or even for home defense. Please see our photos and good luck!