Date of Manufacture is a two digit code:.In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998. This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000.Įxample: 69G1000 = A 1969 Auto-5 Lightweight 12 ga. In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of Auto-5: 8G=light weight for 195 8.Įxample: 8M1000 = A 1958 Auto-5 standard weight shotgun with serial number 1000

G=Light Weight.įrom 1958 serial numbers were preceded by the date of manufacture. Serial Number designation for the Light Weight changed to G. Serial number is on the side of receiver. Year of manufacture on Pre-World War II production is strictly a guess.įrom 1940 to 1946 production of the Auto-5 was turned over to Remington. Exact production figures are not available. OGDEN UTAH-U.S.A.' Very few serial number records remain.īeginning with Serial Number 1 to approximately 228,000. Production of the famous 'A-5' ceased after this final tribute. Only 1,000 of these were produced in a high-grade wood. Factory and the Browning Brothers first store. In 1999 Browning issued the 'Final Tribute' version featuring engraved scens of John M. Browning ordered 10,000 of these shotguns in his first order. Doesn't get much use anymore.The production of the Auto-5 began in 1902. Great for pass shooting not so great in a laydown blind. The Hastings barrel is about as heavy as the 30' that came on the gun and swings easily. When the requirement to use non toxic shot came out I had the barrel reamed to modified and also purchased a 34' Hastings barrel which came with 6 chokes. I would agree, I have the same gun that I purchased new in 1972 and the serial number begins with 72V.

Mine is 87XXX and no letters? I have looked everywhere?īelgium Browning, 12 gauge, 2 3/4' chamber and a round barrel. If anyone has any insight on this they can share with me, I would really appreciate it! I would like to find out for sure, and maybe have it appraised as I don't shoot it and I am not sure if I want to hang onto it anymore. I know it is a magnum, so I am thinking maybe the 'V' is what they used to classify the magnums? However, the Browning website only lists 'M' or 'G'. So going by this I think it was made in 1971. I think this gun was produced in this time frame, but the serial looks like this: I have been on the Browning website to see if I can ascertain what year it was produced, but it hasn't been much help.įor Auto-5's made produced between 19, their website says the serials numbers started with two digits for the date of manufacture, then the letter M (standard weight) or G (light weight), followed by the 5 digit serial number. I have a Belgian made Auto-5, it was my dad's shotgun - he purchased it sometime during early 70's I believe.

Browning a5 serial number lookup