Browning FN Belgian Auto-5 A-5 A5 Light Twelve 12 GA Semi-Auto Shotgun 1975
SOLD FOR: $1700
LSB#: 220214AW009
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: Auto 5 Light Twelve
Serial Number: 75G49191
Year of Manufacture: 1975 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
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. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING AUTO_5 / ** SPECIAL STEEL-12 GAUGE-SHELLS 2 3/4″_28 / BROWNING’S 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. The receiver, tangs and trigger guard have tasteful Grade I engraving.
Barrel Length: 28″, Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Modified Choke
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib has checkering and the top of the receiver has serrations for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, 0black hard rubber FN Browning Automatic buttplate, and finger grooves running the length of the forend. The forend has a few light nicks and scuffs, the most notable in front of the checkering on the bottom. There is a cluster of nicks on the right of the buttstock toward the toe and a few other more minor marks. The checkering is generally sharp. 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 some light wear, most 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.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few minor marks on the left of the receiver. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine-plus condition and would easily rate Excellent bur for the light wear in the stocks.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a magazine cutoff on the left front of the receiver, a safety at the rear of the trigger guard and a bolt release on the right side of the receiver. 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. 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”. It is also an important piece of Browning/Winchester history.
John Browning had previously sold his designs to Winchester for lump-sum payments, turning over all of the patents related to a particular model. Winchester had gotten in the habit of having their engineers and attorneys assist Browning in filing for his patents, in order to ensure that when they received those same patents they would be airtight. Browning’s experiences with Colt and FN had convinced him that he would be better off licensing his designs rather than selling them outright, but when he presented this to Winchester, they refused his terms. This ended the relationship between Winchester and Browning.
Browning would eventually license the design to FN in Europe and later to Remington for their Model 11 and to Savage Arms for their Models 720 and 755. These designs went on to be a great commercial success, the first truly successful autoloading shotgun. This Auto-5 was built by FN in 1975 with Grade I engraving on the receiver and tangs. It is a Light Twelve, chambered for 12 GA. 2 ¾” shells and has a 28″ vent-rib barrel choked Modified. The gun appears to have been well cared for, in Fine-plus condition with some light wear in the stocks, very little in the metal, a great bore and strong mechanics. This should still make for a great hunting gun for the lucky winner but would also make a nice addition for collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!