Browning Auto-5 A5 A-5 Light Twenty 20 Ga 28″ Semi Auto Shotgun 1994
SOLD FOR: $1,607.74
LSB#: LSB251001JB012
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: A5 Light Twenty
Serial Number: 10645NW231
Year of Manufacture: 1994
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Chamber
Action Type: Long Recoil Semi Automatic Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL PQ / MADE IN JAPAN”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING AUTO-5 / INVECTOR-PLUS SPECIAL STEEL 20 GA. SHELLS-2 ¾”-28″ / 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, “10645 / NW231”. The receiver, tangs and trigger guard have tasteful Grade I engraving.
Barrel Length: 28″ Vent Ribbed.
Choke: Invector Chokes: Improved Cylinder installed and frozen in place.
Sights / Optics: The barrel has a silver-colored bead at the front of its vent-rib. The top of both receiver and barrel have checkering for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a rounded semi pistol grip, fluted straight comb, black plastic Browning buttplate, and finger grooves running the length of the forend. The stocks have compression marks and scratches. There are no chips, cracks or areas of finish loss. The checkering is still sharp. The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion. There is some plastic fouling in the forcing cone. 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is minimal freckled blueing loss from previous corrosion on the receiver. There are widespread tiny scratches on both barrel and receiver. There is blueing loss at the muzzle and drag lines underneath the barrel. The receiver shows blueing loss at the edges. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: Original Box.
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”.
His design for the A-5 having been refused by Winchester, Browning took his 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.
This Auto-5 is a Light Twelve Model which was built by FN in 1986 with simple but nice engraving. It is chambered for 20 GA. 2 3/4″ shells and has a 28″ barrel configured for the Invector Choke system. This gun is in Very Good shape, and remains mechanically tight. Once the choke is free, this will be a very versatile upland gun. Please see our photos. -C.B.
