Consecutive Pair Browning FN Grade 4 Engraved Auto-5 Shotguns, MFD 1925 C&R

Sold For: $18,530.00

LSB#: 220420RE008, 220420RE009

Make: Fabrique Nationale

Model: Auto 5 Grade IV, Consecutive Pair

Serial Number: 37202, 37203

Year of Manufacture: 1925

Gauge: 16 Gauge, the barrel installed on serial 37202 is chambered for 2 3/4″ shells, the barrel for 37203 is chambered for 2 1/2? Shells

Action Type: Long-Recoil Tubular Magazine Fed Semi-Automatic Shotguns

Markings: 

37202: The left side of the receiver is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE / BROWNINGS PATENT DEPOSE”. The right side of the receiver and the bolt are marked with Belgian proof marks. The bolt is also marked with the last three digits of the serial number. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number, “FN” in oval and “D” in a small square. The left of the bottom tang is marked with the serial number, the shank of the stock mounting screw is marked with the last three digits of the serial number and the bottom tang inlet of the wrist is stamped with the serial number. The top-front of the forend is marked twice with “71479” and with the serial number. The left of the barrel lug has the serial number stamped over a previous serial marking. The left of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO / ** SPECIAL STEEL-16 GAUGE-SHELLS 2 3/4″ and with a series of Belgian proof/inspection marks and 1950 date code. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN BELGIUM”. The bottom of the barrel has Belgian proof/inspection marks. The top of the barrel extension is marked “4 / 158” and with Belgian proof/inspection marks. The receiver has Type VI gold-filled engraving.

37203: The left side of the receiver is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE / BROWNINGS PATENT DEPOSE”. The right side of the receiver and the bolt are marked with Belgian proof marks. The bolt is also marked with the last three digits of the serial number. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number, “FN” in oval and “D” in a small square. The left of the bottom tang is marked with the serial number, the shank of the stock mounting screw is marked with the last three digits of the serial number. The left of the barrel lug is marked with the serial number. The left of the barrel is marked “FULL 16 SPECIAL STEEL” with Belgian proof and inspection marks, the right is marked “MADE IN BELGIUM”, the top of the rib is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH”, the bottom has Belgian proof/inspection marks. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked with the last three digits of the serial number, the top has Belgian proofs. The receiver has Type VI gold-filled engraving with motif on the rear of the barrel to each side of the rib.

Barrel Length: 

37202: 25 1/2″, Vent-Rib

37203: 27 1/2″, Solid Rib

Choke: 

37202: Modified, Fixed

37203: Full, Fixed

Sights / Optics: Each barrel has a silver-colored bead mounted to the front of its rib. The tops of the receivers and ribs are checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: 

37202: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with round-bottom pistol grip, teardrop cheeks, straight comb, serrated horn FN buttplate, finger grooves running the length of the forend and a sling swivel in the belly (there is another swivel mounted to the front of the magazine cap). The forend has a nick at the front of the checkering on the bottom-right. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear at the heel and toe, a couple of worm-holes, most notable at the heel, and tool marks around the top mounting screw. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.

37203: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, textured black rubber Pachmayr Old English buttpad, finger grooves running the length of the forend and a sling swivel mounted to the front of the magazine cap. The forend has a a few light nicks and scratches on the left and there are a few spots of pooled finish in and around the finger grooves. The buttstock has some nicks and scratches along the belly with a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear around the edges. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Gold

Finish Originality: 

37202: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the gun.

37203: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are both bright. There is no erosion in either bore.

Overall Condition: 

37202: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a small spot of scuffing and discoloration on the top-left of the receiver toward the front. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition as not parts-original.

37203: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks. The left of the receiver has a few scratches and nicks visible under the finish. The edges are generally soft and there is some dishing around the screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The actions function correctly. We have not fired these shotguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A Browning factory letter is included for serial 37202, confirming that the gun was made in 1925 as a 16 gauge Grade 4 with a 26″ barrel choked Modified with a ventilated rib. The letter also notes that the gun was not sold until 1940 to a firearms dealer named Charles A. Bogart in Sandburg, Ohio. The letter further states that the invoice for the gun stated it had a “Special Priced Shopworn Gun”, leading Browning Historian Leonard Rees to believe that it was a display gun used by Browning at gun shows and for advertisements between production in 1925 and sale in 1940.

Our Assessment: Browning Auto-5s are cool. Grade 4 Pre-War Auto-5s are even cooler. This set is just a little bit cooler than that. This is a pair of consecutively numbered Fabrique Nationale Auto-5s which were made in 1925. We also have a little bit of information on the first gun from the Browning factory records indicating that it was made in 1925 but didn’t actually sell until 1940, likely having been used as a marketing display to advertise Grade 4 engraved guns. This may account for the additional serial number marked on the top of that gun’s forend, but it is also possible it was replaced and re-marked like the 1950-vintage barrel was. The second gun was refinished at some point in the past, but a good job was done replacing the gold in that gun’s Type VI engraving.

This beautiful set includes a 25 1/2? Modified Choke gun as well as a 27 1/2″ Full Choke gun, giving the discerning sportsman some options. Both barrels have a rib, one ventilated and one solid. The second gun has been equipped with a beautiful set of stocks to complement its new finish. This is just a gorgeous set and a rare opportunity for Browning collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!