Hi there. My name is Joe Smith, it's an easy one to remember. I just chalk it up to really creative parents. Anyway... I have wanted to own an A5 for many years now. I have shot a few and hunted with a few. For me I love the history of the gun, however, the A5 is the only shotgun that comes up perfectly for me every time. I hunted with a Rem 1100 for a few years and had a BPS for a while. They were great guns but I had to put some effort into hitting what I was aiming at. With the A5 it's almost like a part of my body, very natural. Well, after 3 years of trying to wrestle my sister's A5 away from her I recently did a bunch of mechanic work on her truck and there was only one thing I wanted as payment for the job. So it's finally mine!!! So here she is, not a gem but I want to shoot trap with it so I need a solid, useable shotgun that I can take good care of but not stress out about. The Serial number according to this chart from the NRA (I couldn't decipher the one at Browning.com) puts it as a 1925, is that correct? http://www.nramuseum.com/media/940941/serialization-date of manufacture.pdf It is a Belgium made, round knob Light Twelve. Also, what makes it a "Light Twelve?" Thanks! [/URL][/IMG] http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/lvin4jc33/IMG_20160209_234338364.jpg http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/lvin4jc33/IMG_20160209_234412905.jpg http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/lvin4jc33/IMG_20160209_234441934.jpg http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/lvin4jc33/IMG_20160209_234348743.jpg http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/lvin4jc33/IMG_20160209_234327331.jpg
You went to the right website, but you ignored the prefix, 2G, which makes your gun a 1962 Light Twelve. After the success of the Sweet Sixteen, Browning introduced the Light Twelve 10 years later, in 1946. Both of these guns were specially lightened versions of the standard Auto-5. Weight was removed from the receiver, barrel ring, and the butt stock. Neither gun had the name engraved on the receiver until 1948. Until then the guns were identified by a gold trigger and safety. They lost the gold safety in 1951 when the change was made to a cross bolt.
Thanks, Shooter. I should have added that there's a wealth of knowledge -- not just mine -- in the Auto-5 Forum.
Yes sir...While I might not post a lot of technical stuff... I DO read every post in every thread here on the forum. We do have a knowledgeable community willing to help others...I'm proud to be involved.