Browning Auto 5 20 Gauge Serial Numbers

I'm trying to put a date on the A-5 I inherited from my Grand Father. I'm guessing it was manufactured in 1937 but have nothing to prove that.

Browning Semi-Automatic Five Shotgun (A-5). Production began at serial number 1 in 1902. Prior to 1924, few. 1601, Magnum 20 Gauge. 2301, Light 20.

Nobody in the family knew GrandPa had a gun and Brownings website only goes back to 1940. Also wonder if anyone can provide information on the markings found on the receiver? Barrel is marked 'Browning Arms Company St. Any information you guys and give me would be greatly appreciated. Can't post attachments.

Here is a link to some photos. Serial number is blocked out but is 6 digits. Lee ritenour is it you. When I called Browning I was told their records only go back to 1940.Yep and below you will see why. Date Historic Information Serial Number Info 1903-1939 First 10,000 shipped to U.S.

Marked with 'BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS CO. OGDEN UTAH-U.S.A.' Very few serial number records remain. Beginning with Serial Number 1 to approximately 228,000. Exact production figures are not available. Year of manufacture on Pre-World War II production is strictly a guess.

1940-1946 From 1940 to 1946 production of the Auto-5 was turned over to Remington. Serial number is on the side of receiver. 'ABC' for American made Version. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge, C=20 gauge) 1946+229,000-237,000 1947 200 1948 200 1949 200 1950 200 1951 300 1952 F.N. Took over production of the Auto-5. 300 1953 300 1954-55 Serial Numbering System changed.

H=Standard Weight. L=Light Weight.

H1-H83000 L1-L Serial Number designation for the Light Weight changed to G. H83001-H99000 G1-G Serial Numbering System changed again. M=Standard Weight. G=Light Weight. M22000-M85000 G0 1958-67 From 1958 serial numbers were preceded by the date of manufacture. 8M=standard weight for 1958. 8G=light weight for 1958.

Example: 8M1000 = A 1958 Auto-5 standard weight shotgun with serial number 1000 G85001-G99000 8G1-8G2000 M=standard weight G=light weight 1968-76 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: M=standard weight G=light weight This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000. Example: 69G1000 = A 1969 Auto-5 Lightweight 12 ga. Shotgun with a serial number of 1000.

M-standard weight G=light weight 1976-1997 In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998. Auto-5 Type 151=Magnum 12 gauge 161=Magnum 20 gauge 211=Light 12 gauge 221=Sweet 16 231=Light 20 gauge 2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code Z=1 Y=2 X=3 W=4 V=5 T=6 R=7 P=8 N=9 M=0 3.

Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year. Serial Number Example: 01001RT151 This would be an Auto-5 Magnum 12 ga.,manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 01001. 1999 The Auto-5 will be discontinued for 2000. To commemorate this historic event for the Auto-5, Browning released the 'Final Tribute' version in 1999. Serial Number beginning with 1001 at the start of each year. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code 2000 (distribution began in 1999) 3. Auto-5 Type FT='Final Tribute' 12 ga.

Serial Number Example: 2000FT1001 This would be a Auto-5 'Final Tribute' 12 ga., manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 1001. Thanks for the info Toledo.

That's a lot more than I have found any where else. Still don't put a good date on it though. Biblioteka eskw dlya kompas v15. The serial number being in the 219xxx range tells me it is before 1940.

The number being on the bottom of the receiver and the FN mark tells me it's Belgian made. But that doesn't agree with the data you provided? Don't know what to think now. Guess I'll have to settle for it being pre 1940 and call it good. Just found this website with pre-1940 numbers Puts mine in 1938.

I posted a couple of pics on here of my Browning A5. Having only a 5 digit serial number I assumed it was much older than it is. The serial number is B138**. I could not find the significance of the 'B'. Yesterday, at a gun show, there was a booth that had about 10 A5s.

I was discussing this number with the booth owner. It was his opinion that the 'B' designated 12 gauge Remington production for Browning during WWII after Hitler had seized the Belgium facilities where the A5 was manufactured. Indeed, it does not have any of the Belgium markings but does bear the word Browning and a bust of John Browning. So far I have not been able to find a year of production.

I have found out a couple of things on different sites. One points to the serial numbers all being in the 200,000s. Another said that these guns were available to 'servicemen only' during the war. Anybody here have any A5 knowledge?