my father gave me my great-grandfather's Belgium 12ga Auto-5 when I was 12 years old after he had it re-blued with a new Remington 'replica' barrel but without the thick sight-rib that was on top of the old well-used barrel.. I was tasked to clean all the long-guns since around 8 years old.. it still looks the same after using it on many hunts and high school trap and skeet competitions.. now I know S/N 50527 was made in 1921, thank you.. she never felt heavy when I was younger.. at 70 years old she's a beautiful but hefty machine whose weight took most of the kickback off my right shoulder...
based off your chart my grandfathers A5 was number 101075, made in 1927, nearly a century old and i will make sure it sees another century. thank you, truly.
Thanks for the work y’all did on my A5 mag 12 gauge. I was so proud to see what kind of job y’all did. Sending to Arts was the best move I could have ever made. I can’t thank you enough. I wish I could do something to show how happy and proud I am. Thanks again.
Awesome video... Like others I was lost with the charts on the Browning site...you made this very simple. I have a 70V Magnum! 32" barrel! Thanks to you, now I know that!
Thanks for this. I have been trying to date my Browning A5 that I inherited from my grandfather. Looks like was made 1955 with a serial number of H79027. It still shoots very good and is very reliable. I shot a round of trap with it recently and scored 23 of 25.
Thanks. Way easier than Browning site. My daddy just gave me his 1973 mag 12 he bought new the year I was born, 1974. The deer in eastern NC were happy to hear that weapon has been relocated…..
What Mark said Brad/Art........I received my light Belgium 12 in 1973 as a graduation present from my Gunsmith Father. He procured it from a friend who was a Docter who completed his collection of Brownings and liquidating and starting a new collection. Very informative video, thanks much!
Great presentation! More helpful than the Browning page. Buying a "Magnum Twelve" was a little like getting married. It was only after the deal that I learned her true age.
Your information is absolutely clear as a bell ! Browning’s website is very confusing! Thanks to Your info I now know my A5 Light 12 was made in 1955. Thank You so much.
My brother just bought me this for my birthday this year and after watching your video and looking on browning’s website. My auto 5 was made in 1907. I kinda don’t want to shoot it now on my annual dove hunt
I got my Browning Auto-5 from an arms dealer friend. It had taken it from a collector. I've been trying to date this rifle for years but the serial number suggests it was made during the war when there was no production at the time. namely 226743. The rifle functions perfectly.
Buddy that was really helpfull, i just inherited a Japanese made PX series wich stands for 1983 according to your board, and all i can say is that it is a really sturdy and well made gun. I'm waiting untill i shoot it next week! Thanks a lot for the info!
Thanks guys. My wife got her great grandfathers A5 12 for Christmas. I was trying to date it. It indeed has a 2M above serial number so thanks to your video we are calling it a 1962.
Mine is in the same era. Under the the receiver is 3G which it seems would be a 1963 Light 12. However there is no serial number below it. What is up with this?
Thanks Guys, I called Browning to get a factory letter for my Great-Grandfathers’ 12Ga but they didn’t have any records. Your chart tells me it is from 1938 Thanks Travis
Thanks for the video. About 30 years ago I purchased a 1929 A5 12G. Bead front sight, no vent rib, no checkering and no engraving on steel. I believe "12G Full special" means full choke? The wood has no cracks but the gun looks like it has been used but well taken care of. I only shoot heavy loads and the cycling works without failure no matter how fast I can manage to squeeze the trigger. A testament to the reliability of John Browning gun making genius!
Just purchased my first auto 5 thanks for information can't tell y'all how much it helped me through the searching and buying process hats off to you fellas
The serial number for a Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun made between 1940 and 1946 is located on the side of the receiver. During this time, Remington produced the Auto-5, and the serial number may have the letters "ABC" to indicate the gauge of the gun. "A" stands for 16 gauge, "B" for 12 gauge, and "C" for 20 gauge.
Thank you for a great, informative video! (Just bought a Browning "Light Twelve" today with "73G" stamped on it...oh and the word "Belgium.") Thanks again for your knowledge! Keep up the good work...
You did not include the 16 ga models. The lightweight or Sweet 16 used an S for the post '57 models. So a 1961 Sweet 16 would start with 1S. Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.
So #1270 is a 1903 browning ? The gun my dad gave me at age 14 for duck hunting. I can't believe this,I better sit down and double check this . Holy cow!
What about the Brownings made in WWII by Remington, in Illion, NY? Serial numbers are on the side of the receiver for these guns. They are clearly marked Browning. Do we not consider these Browning A-5s?
Question for everyone. I just inherited my grandfather’s 16 gauge Browning A5. Serial number 45557. Browning Arms company ogden utah on barrel. Fabrique nationale d armes de guerre herstal belgique in receiver. According to your video, this is dated to 1914. But would this be the case with the 16 gauge? Thanks for the info
I haven't watched the video yet, but Ive been dating mine for 5 years and Im ready to take it to the next step. Should we move in together or go straight to marriage? Asking for a friend.
Thank YOU!! Browning c onfused me. I had a G31366, thought is was '57. but yours showed m '56.. St. louis side,. I don't have the purchase receipt from my dad.. But i shot it when i was 7... I'm 65 now..
My browning has a 7G on it. ..manufactured in 1967. Had a guy tell me it was a Japanese shotgun. Watched this and saw he didn’t know what he was talking about.
Thanks for making this, very helpful. I found a website that verified the same thing, but this made it a lot easier to get a solid date and learn some new info on an old Japanese mag12 I came across. Like others in the comments its a 32" barrel which I thought was awesome, no choke threading but it shoots steel so figured at 32" the pattern should be pretty tight. Thanks again.
Great video guys. I just picked up an A5 and it dates at 1965. Supper nice shape. I would like to now look into the proof marks and serial number on the barrel to get a little more info. Is there a good on-line source for this info? Cheers.
my dad got one from his dad and my dad is going to give it to me. he once told me to be VARY careful because its full choke and that it tends to go Full Auto.
I just bought one was told 1926 the serial #6001 bottom of receiver with no Letters?? I’m confused I thought they all had a mode letter? Also has 3 different dates on the side 1901, 1902, and 1903
"L" prefix years in question. Below I have listed the years and serial numbers associated with them. If someone can show me evidence in the form of barrel date codes that conflict with the following information I will gladly change my chart for these models of the Light Twelve Auto-5 shotguns. 1953"L1"-"L4450" 1954"L4451"-"L45250" 1955"L45251"-"L83600" 1956"L83601-L99877" During 1956 Browning changed the letter designation for this model to a "G" from an "L" to add even more confusion. Setpoint in gun values board.
Hello. Very helpful. Thanks. However, I do have a question. Recently bought an Auto 5 and can't figure out the manufacture date by the serial number. The serial number on the shotgun is 60 (small size font) 18928 on regular font size. I can't post a picture here but would love your help to find out information about this gun. Is there an email to where I can send a picture? Thanks
My cousin has two Auto-5's we're trying to date. The first matches your charts, it's labeled a Magnum with 8V over a 4 digit (XXXX) serial number so I assume it's a 1958. The second is clearly labeled as a "Light Twelve" in cursive on the left-hand side, the serial number has FN in a circle above it and the serial itself is a 6 digit number, there are NO letter prefixes. It's 420xxx. Based on the initial chart you presented that would make it a 1953, however you mentioned it should have an L to indicate a Light 12, it does not? Thanks,
AM GLAD I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL! I have my Grandfathers A5 @ 89643 with an 'H' stamped lower case between the 6 and 4. It is a 2 9/16 inch 16 gauge. Can you suggest as to the uniqueness or common manufacture of this shotgun? Anything interesting? Full choke. Bead front sight. Thanks much , Ed
Hey thank you for the info i inherited mine last week from my grandpa my serial number is M 41391 so would that be a 56 or 57 the chart doesn't include this?
Might need to add a few more numbers to the 'H' Standard Series. I'm looking at one with a 'H stamped above the number 41152 number. Which I would think is a 1954 based on your charts. It's jist that your chart numbers for 'H' don't go that high. What are your thoughts on this (1954 or 55)? She's in excellent shape. A very very clean gun with a poly choke and magazine cut off.
My auto 5 isn't listed by you. My gun has a 1 above the serial number. The guy who owned it says he bought it back in 1966 but I don't know when it was Madd in Belgium.
Good to know! Awesome video. My dad that passed 16 yrs ago had a FAB. N non magnum with a like 6” huge muzzle brake on it. I’m guessing it’s late 50s, early 60s, it’s currently locked away safely at a cousins house.....BUT, when they borrowed it the BROKE the muzzle brake off! I CANNOT find a barrel(with or without the ugly muzzle brake.) Any ideas once I get serial #?
I inherited my father's Belgium browning and I can't tell the year of manufacturer. It is labeled L and four digits that start with 6xxx. According to the chart it should fall between 1953-1954, but the serial number is greater than the last one manufactured in 1953, but less than the first one in 1954. Does anyone know why this serial number is not included in the chart? What happened to L-4451 through L-23799?
my father gave me my great-grandfather's Belgium 12ga Auto-5 when I was 12 years old after he had it re-blued with a new Remington 'replica' barrel but without the thick sight-rib that was on top of the old well-used barrel.. I was tasked to clean all the long-guns since around 8 years old.. it still looks the same after using it on many hunts and high school trap and skeet competitions.. now I know S/N 50527 was made in 1921, thank you.. she never felt heavy when I was younger.. at 70 years old she's a beautiful but hefty machine whose weight took most of the kickback off my right shoulder...
based off your chart my grandfathers A5 was number 101075, made in 1927, nearly a century old and i will make sure it sees another century. thank you, truly.
this chart says mine is 1923, brownings official website says it’s a 1927 my number is (60398) under a FN stamp
Thanks for the work y’all did on my A5 mag 12 gauge. I was so proud to see what kind of job y’all did. Sending to Arts was the best move I could have ever made. I can’t thank you enough. I wish I could do something to show how happy and proud I am. Thanks again.
Awesome video... Like others I was lost with the charts on the Browning site...you made this very simple. I have a 70V Magnum! 32" barrel! Thanks to you, now I know that!
Thanks for this. I have been trying to date my Browning A5 that I inherited from my grandfather. Looks like was made 1955 with a serial number of H79027. It still shoots very good and is very reliable. I shot a round of trap with it recently and scored 23 of 25.
Hi.. Where exactly is the serial number located im having a bit of trouble
Great post…thank you. From a like new L-108 inheritance. Been 40 years since I used it. Amazing.
Thanks. Way easier than Browning site. My daddy just gave me his 1973 mag 12 he bought new the year I was born, 1974. The deer in eastern NC were happy to hear that weapon has been relocated…..
What Mark said Brad/Art........I received my light Belgium 12 in 1973 as a graduation present from my Gunsmith Father. He procured it from a friend who was a Docter who completed his collection of Brownings and liquidating and starting a new collection. Very informative video, thanks much!
Great presentation! More helpful than the Browning page. Buying a "Magnum Twelve" was a little like getting married. It was only after the deal that I learned her true age.
I was looking all over trying to get magnum dates. Finally came across this video and answered all my questions. Thank you.
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. I have a 1970 magnum 12 gauge. You took the stress out of trying to figure that out. Perfectly presented.
Your information is absolutely clear as a bell ! Browning’s website is very confusing! Thanks to Your info I now know my A5 Light 12 was made in 1955. Thank You so much.
Just inherited my fathers original 1958 (8G XXXXX) Light Twelve! Appreciate the information. Glad I can pass it on to my son some day.
My brother just bought me this for my birthday this year and after watching your video and looking on browning’s website. My auto 5 was made in 1907. I kinda don’t want to shoot it now on my annual dove hunt
I got my Browning Auto-5 from an arms dealer friend. It had taken it from a collector. I've been trying to date this rifle for years but the serial number suggests it was made during the war when there was no production at the time. namely 226743. The rifle functions perfectly.
Thank you for the video. I was able to determine my light 12 auto 5 was made in 64, 1 year before my dad was born
Buddy that was really helpfull, i just inherited a Japanese made PX series wich stands for 1983 according to your board, and all i can say is that it is a really sturdy and well made gun. I'm waiting untill i shoot it next week! Thanks a lot for the info!
Thanks guys. My wife got her great grandfathers A5 12 for Christmas. I was trying to date it. It indeed has a 2M above serial number so thanks to your video we are calling it a 1962.
That is correct.
Mine is in the same era. Under the the receiver is 3G which it seems would be a 1963 Light 12. However there is no serial number below it. What is up with this?
Thanks Guys, I called Browning to get a factory letter for my Great-Grandfathers’ 12Ga but they didn’t have any records. Your chart tells me it is from 1938
Thanks
Travis
Thanks for a great video I just dated mine it’s a 1906 and still seems to work fine 👍🏼
Excellent video Art. Now I know how old my A5 is. A fun bit of “detective” work.
Thanks so much. Was able to date my dad's 1954 light 12 with your video. Great video.
Very helpful. Way easier to follow than the chart on browning website. If I understood this right my browning was made in 1963
I inherited my uncle's Light Twelve. It's from 1956, thanks for the help!
This is the greatest video! You answered all my questions about both of my browning 12 Guages. And no bs. Thank you, you da man!! 🙌
Great video! Just inherited my Papas browning 12 mag made in 1971 thanks for the video
Thanks for the video. About 30 years ago I purchased a 1929 A5 12G. Bead front sight, no vent rib, no checkering and no engraving on steel. I believe "12G Full special" means full choke? The wood has no cracks but the gun looks like it has been used but well taken care of. I only shoot heavy loads and the cycling works without failure no matter how fast I can manage to squeeze the trigger. A testament to the reliability of John Browning gun making genius!
Just purchased my first auto 5 thanks for information can't tell y'all how much it helped me through the searching and buying process hats off to you fellas
The serial number for a Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun made between 1940 and 1946 is located on the side of the receiver. During this time, Remington produced the Auto-5, and the serial number may have the letters "ABC" to indicate the gauge of the gun. "A" stands for 16 gauge, "B" for 12 gauge, and "C" for 20 gauge.
Thanks so much! Have tried to decipher the SN on my dad's A5 for a while with no luck. 1956 it is!
Thank you for a great, informative video! (Just bought a Browning "Light Twelve" today with "73G" stamped on it...oh and the word "Belgium.") Thanks again for your knowledge! Keep up the good work...
You did not include the 16 ga models. The lightweight or Sweet 16 used an S for the post '57 models. So a 1961 Sweet 16 would start with 1S. Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.
I inherited my grandpa's 1962 magnum. Thank you!
Thank you that was very helpful. Mine was made the first year of the lightweights
Thanks for a very helpful video
inherited my dads light twelve, its from 1979 japan model, thank you for the fine research.
So #1270 is a 1903 browning ? The gun my dad gave me at age 14 for duck hunting. I can't believe this,I better sit down and double check this . Holy cow!
Thanks! Discovered my Magnum is a 1964
Thank you. I inherited 2 auto 5 magnums one 20 gauge and the other is a 12 gauge.
Great video! Thank you.
What about the Brownings made in WWII by Remington, in Illion, NY? Serial numbers are on the side of the receiver for these guns. They are clearly marked Browning. Do we not consider these Browning A-5s?
They are. Just an odd lot type. These are not the only variants put there, for what it's worth.
Just bought a 64 magnum ..so excited ..you helped me date it
Question for everyone. I just inherited my grandfather’s 16 gauge Browning A5. Serial number 45557. Browning Arms company ogden utah on barrel. Fabrique nationale d armes de guerre herstal belgique in receiver. According to your video, this is dated to 1914. But would this be the case with the 16 gauge? Thanks for the info
Yes very useful information thanks keep up the good work and hoip you and family and your work colleagues are safe and well
Thank you. You made it simple
I have a 1967 made in belgium light weight in Pristine condition. wow!
I found out that i got me a '65 magnum at my local pawn shop. Thank you!
1958 Light Twelve! Thank you!
Good information 👍
I haven't watched the video yet, but Ive been dating mine for 5 years and Im ready to take it to the next step. Should we move in together or go straight to marriage? Asking for a friend.
Thank YOU!! Browning c onfused me. I had a G31366, thought is was '57. but yours showed m '56.. St. louis side,. I don't have the purchase receipt from my dad.. But i shot it when i was 7... I'm 65 now..
Mine's a '57 Model Randy...G69853 Light 12 ~ Dad gave it to me in '66 when I was 10...still shooting strong ~
Thank you kindly, I now know I have a 1953 light 12!
Super helpful man!
Turns out I have a 1947.
Thanks
I inherited grandpas
1959 A5 magnum 👍🏻
My browning has a 7G on it. ..manufactured in 1967. Had a guy tell me it was a Japanese shotgun. Watched this and saw he didn’t know what he was talking about.
My dads bought his browning a5 in 1975 and the serial number start with N90!!!
Thanks! now I know that mine was made in 1962
Thanks For this
Mines a 68 G...i love my ol girl shes deadly with #1 buck on them drives
Thanks for making this, very helpful. I found a website that verified the same thing, but this made it a lot easier to get a solid date and learn some new info on an old Japanese mag12 I came across. Like others in the comments its a 32" barrel which I thought was awesome, no choke threading but it shoots steel so figured at 32" the pattern should be pretty tight. Thanks again.
Great video guys. I just picked up an A5 and it dates at 1965. Supper nice shape. I would like to now look into the proof marks and serial number on the barrel to get a little more info. Is there a good on-line source for this info? Cheers.
I totally want to, but she's in love with my M1 Garand and won't give me the time of day. =)
Thanks for the video, I thought my grandad had a 1913 auto 5, turns out it's a 1959 12g standard (9H)
Ours in a ‘69 Magnum, and he wasn’t lying about the weight!
my dad got one from his dad and my dad is going to give it to me. he once told me to be VARY careful because its full choke and that it tends to go Full Auto.
That sowd like a great sentimental thing to have passing down pall thumbs up 👍 from me
Very well done video. Great information!
I have a Belgian made A5 that says "light twelve" on the side but the serial number puts it in a gap between 1920 and 1921. Have you seen this before?
Very interesting. What if it is a FN serial number, where do I go to date the Firearm
According to this my grandfather passed down an A-5 from 1929 to me!
Thank you for making this video.
Thanks Mark... Good stuff!
My a5 says "9868" and that's all what year would that be?
And what could it be worth? My great grandpa left it to me.
Very useful
Tks
3G 20153 is the number on mine. What am I looking at? Great video, thank you.
1963
I just bought one was told 1926 the serial #6001 bottom of receiver with no Letters?? I’m confused I thought they all had a mode letter? Also has 3 different dates on the side 1901, 1902, and 1903
This Browning is engraved and stamped patents Oct.9,1900,Dec,17 1901, Sept 30, 1902, June 16,1905
Gotta Look. Thanks for the info
3 years later I’m here, just dated my grandpas old 1969 Light A5
"L" prefix years in question. Below I have listed the years and serial numbers associated with them. If someone can show me evidence in the form of barrel date codes that conflict with the following information I will gladly change my chart for these models of the Light Twelve Auto-5 shotguns.
1953"L1"-"L4450"
1954"L4451"-"L45250"
1955"L45251"-"L83600"
1956"L83601-L99877"
During 1956 Browning changed the letter designation for this model to a "G" from an "L" to add even more confusion.
Setpoint in gun values board.
I inherited a 12ga Browning lite, but the serial # is 425385 which I did not see listed in your video. How can I tell when it was made?
G71 I love my A5..
Hello. Very helpful. Thanks. However, I do have a question. Recently bought an Auto 5 and can't figure out the manufacture date by the serial number. The serial number on the shotgun is 60 (small size font) 18928 on regular font size. I can't post a picture here but would love your help to find out information about this gun. Is there an email to where I can send a picture? Thanks
Wow! Guess mines from 1949! Didn't expect it to be that old since it has a synthetic stock n fore.. guess someone switched that out! Lol
My cousin has two Auto-5's we're trying to date.
The first matches your charts, it's labeled a Magnum with 8V over a 4 digit (XXXX) serial number so I assume it's a 1958.
The second is clearly labeled as a "Light Twelve" in cursive on the left-hand side, the serial number has FN in a circle above it and the serial itself is a 6 digit number, there are NO letter prefixes. It's 420xxx. Based on the initial chart you presented that would make it a 1953, however you mentioned it should have an L to indicate a Light 12, it does not?
Thanks,
AM GLAD I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL! I have my Grandfathers A5 @ 89643 with an 'H' stamped lower case between the 6 and 4. It is a 2 9/16 inch 16 gauge. Can you suggest as to the uniqueness or common manufacture of this shotgun? Anything interesting? Full choke. Bead front sight. Thanks much , Ed
With the serial number starting with 3G the A5 12 chambered and three-quarter two and three-quarter what year am I looking at?
Hey thank you for the info i inherited mine last week from my grandpa my serial number is M 41391 so would that be a 56 or 57 the chart doesn't include this?
Thank you for this video!
Thanks, now I know that I have a 1958 light 12
I own a Browning auto 5 magnum and I love it
I have 7 different ones and love them all
Might need to add a few more numbers to the 'H' Standard Series.
I'm looking at one with a 'H stamped above the number 41152 number.
Which I would think is a 1954 based on your charts. It's jist that your chart numbers for 'H' don't go that high.
What are your thoughts on this (1954 or 55)?
She's in excellent shape. A very very clean gun with a poly choke and magazine cut off.
Mine is 1953. Handed down to me from my Father
My auto 5 isn't listed by you. My gun has a 1 above the serial number. The guy who owned it says he bought it back in 1966 but I don't know when it was Madd in Belgium.
Is there a chance you know how to identify a browning BDA-380
Good to know! Awesome video. My dad that passed 16 yrs ago had a FAB. N non magnum with a like 6” huge muzzle brake on it. I’m guessing it’s late 50s, early 60s, it’s currently locked away safely at a cousins house.....BUT, when they borrowed it the BROKE the muzzle brake off! I CANNOT find a barrel(with or without the ugly muzzle brake.) Any ideas once I get serial #?
Hello, thanks in advance, please advise: mine says 6887198
68 in small and the rest normal size
Above them written CI FN
I inherited my father's Belgium browning and I can't tell the year of manufacturer. It is labeled L and four digits that start with 6xxx. According to the chart it should fall between 1953-1954, but the serial number is greater than the last one manufactured in 1953, but less than the first one in 1954. Does anyone know why this serial number is not included in the chart? What happened to L-4451 through L-23799?
I have seen a Browning Auto 5 for sale with the serial number G 6529. The G is above the 6529. Can you tell me what year this was made?
Does the numbers mean the same for 16 gauge ?
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Ok i have a Browning A4 serial L 47721 which is not 1954 or 1955 according to your list? What gives with that?