Browning Auto-5 A5 A-5 Magnum Twelve 12 Ga 30″ Semi Auto Shotgun, 1971 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,126.00

LSB#:  LSB250802AJ007

Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms

Model: A5

Serial Number: 71V82645

Year of Manufacture: 1971

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 3” Chamber

Action Type: Long Recoil Semi Automatic Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the 30” barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q.” with a series of Belgian proof marks and “VM7919”.  The right side of the 30” barrel is marked “BROWNING PATENT / SPECIAL STEEL 12 GA. SHELLS_ 3″ * / BROWNING AUTO_5”.  

The left side of the of the 24” barrel is marked  “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM ” with a series of Belgian proof marks and “VM9438”.  The right side of the 24” barrel is marked “SPECIAL STEEL 12 GA. SHELLS_3”* / BROWNING AUTO 5”.  

The left side of the receiver is marked “MAGNUM / ® / 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.

Barrel Lengths & Chokes: 

30″, Vent-Rib, Full

           24” (29” w/ Cutts Compensator), Vent-Rib, Variable (Modified Installed) 

Sights / Optics: The 30” barrel has the front sight bead missing.  The 24” barrel has a silver-colored bead at the front of the compensator. The top of the receiver and both barrels have checkering for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, brown vented rubber Browning buttpad, and finger grooves running the length of the forend.  The left side of the buttstock has some deep gouges, particularly near the fluting on the left side.  Otherwise, the stocks have some scattered light impression marks, scratches and areas of finish loss. The checkering is still sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate.  Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality:  Original.  

Bore Condition:  The bore is bright. There is no erosion.  There is some lead fouling.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is blueing loss on the receiver leading edges.  There is a small area of corrosion pitting, mostly on the back of the receiver.  Both barrels show light operational wear.  There are some light scattered scratches and some light handling marks throughout.  The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine 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:  (4) Cutts (Lyman) Compensator screw in chokes for Spreader, Improved Cylinder, Mod (Installed), and Full.  Two spare friction rings.  Spare friction piece.  Nice leather case for receiver and both barrels.   

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 magnum model which was built by FN in 1971 with simple but nice engraving. It is chambered for 12 GA. 2 3/4” or 3” shells and has a 30” barrel choked Full and a 24” (29 with Cutts Compensator) that is variable. The gun appears to have seen some use, with wear in the stocks, but little in the metal.  This would be a great one-shotgun-does-it-all, with a full set of choke tubes, the rapid follow up of an A5, and the power and versatility of a magnum twelve gauge.  Please see our photos.  -C.B.