Browning FN Auto-5 A5 A-5 16 Gauge 2 3/4″ 26″ Semi Auto Shotgun, 1967 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,506.00

LSB#:  LSB251031NO025

Make:  Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms

Model:  A5

Serial Number:  7S66708

Year of Manufacture:  1967 (Browning Auto-5 Shotguns by H.M. Shirley Jr and Anthony Vanderlinden)

Gauge:  16 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 ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM” and with Belgian proofs.  The right side of the barrel is marked “**SPECIAL STEEL-16 GAUGE-SHELLS 2 3/4”.  The left side of the receiver is marked “SWEET SIXTEEN / BROWNING” with an engraving of a bust of John Browning.  The underside of the receiver has the serial number, “7S66703”.

Barrel Length:  26″

Choke:  Fixed:  Modified.

Sights / Optics:  This shotgun is mounted with a silver-colored bead on a ramp at the front of the barrel.  The top of both barrel and receiver have checkering for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, black hard plastic FN Browning Automatic buttplate, and finger grooves running the length of the forend.  The stocks have light impression marks and scratches throughout.  The checkering remains well defined and semi-sharp.  There are no chips, cracks, or areas of finish loss.  The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate.  Overall, the stocks are in Very Good to Fine condition.

Type of Finish:  Blue

Finish Originality:  Original

Bore Condition:  The bore is bright. There is no erosion, though there is some mid-barrel fouling.  This gun writer rates the bore at 9/10.

Overall Condition:  This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish.  There is mild fading on the barrel, receiver and receiver tangs, a little of which has led to tiny corrosion freckles.  There is mild operational wear in the action.  Otherwise, there are just a few light handling marks scattered about.  The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear.  Overall, this shotgun is in a 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:  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. His patent dated 1903 read, in part:

“My invention relates to an improvement in recoil-operated magazine firearms in which all of the several operations of the arm, with the single exception of pulling the trigger, are performed by power derived from successive explosions of the cartridges in cartridge-chamber…”

His invention did all of that, in a way so successful that it was produced continually for almost 100 years by several makers with production ending in 1998. 

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.

The first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun featured a distinctive high rear end, earning it the nickname “Humpback”. 

Chambered in 16 gauge with a 2 3/4″ chamber and fitted with a 26″ barrel with a Modified choke, this “Sweet Sixteen” shotgun offers a good capability for upland game. If, like this gun writer, you “occasionally” miss a bird, the quick follow up shot of an A5 might come in handy.   The 26 inch barrel allows for quick target acquisition, while the finely checkered walnut stocks deliver both control and elegance.  

This is a C&R-eligible classic, desirable for its Belgian craftsmanship and mechanical reliability.  It will add to a Browning collection or will add a traditional lightweight fowling piece with a rapid follow-up shot to a hunter’s arsenal.

Please check out our high quality photos – C.B.