Browning FN Auto-5 A5 A-5 20 GA 27 ½ ” 2 ¾” Semi Auto Shotgun, 1972 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,435.00
LSB#: LSB250609DM093
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: A5
Serial Number: 72Z68585
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Long Recoil Semi Automatic Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM” with a series of Belgian proof marks and “R42750”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING PATENTS / SPECIAL STEEL 20 GA. SHELLS 2 ¾” * / BROWNING AUTO 5” The left side of the receiver is marked “Twenty / ® / 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 Length: 27 ½”
Choke: Fixed: Full
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a silver colored bead at the muzzle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, black hard rubber FN Browning Automatic buttpad, and finger grooves running the length of the forend. The stocks have scattered light impression marks, scratches, and areas of finish loss, mostly in the buttstock. The checkering is well defined. There is a ¾ ” chip in the buttstock near the fluting. The LOP measures 14″ 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. This writer rates it at 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The receiver and tangs show some light rust freckling, corrosion pitting, and operational wear — the barrel, much less. The receiver bluing shows some fading, the barrel not at all. There are some light scattered scratches and some light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. 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: 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”.
This Auto-5 was built by FN in 1972 with simple but nice engraving. It is chambered for 20 GA. 2 3/4” shells and has a 27 ½”” barrel choked Full. The gun appears to have seen limited use with scattered light wear in the stocks, but little in the metal. This should still make for a great classic hunting gun for the lucky winner, but would also be a neat addition to a Browning collection. Please see our photos. -C.B.
