Browning FN Auto-5 A5 Light Twelve 27 1/2″ 12 GA Semi-Auto Shotgun C&R 1966
SOLD FOR: $1,310.00
LSB#: LSB251005FS006.1
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: Auto 5 Light Weight
Serial Number: 6G61773
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
Barrel Length: 27 1/2″
Choke: Modified, fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is checkered and the top of the receiver is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with finger-grooved forend, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and black FN Browning Automatic buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks with a couple of more notable nicks at the right-rear of the forend. 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 minor wear, mostly at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few scattered minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-Excellent 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 referred to as the Auto-5 or simply A-5, is a long-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”. Browning presented his design to Winchester, where he had sold his rifle designs, but they refused to pay him royalties, preferring their previous arrangement of buying designs outright. Browning then took the gun to FN in Europe and licensed the design to them, much as he did with his autoloading pistol designs. 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 1966 with Grade I engraving on the receiver and tangs. It is chambered for 12 GA. 2 3/4″ shells with a 27 1/2″ barrel choked Modified. The gun appears to have seen very little use, having minor wear in the stocks, almost none in the metal, a great bore and strong mechanics. It should still be ready to head out in the field and take down some birds, but would also be a nice example to add to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!