1929 16g A5 - Heavily Engraved by Felix Funken

Hello

I live in the UK and I`m a big Browning enthusiast , I`m interested in what you guys think of my 16g A5 , it an unusual one and I believe its unique , a guy on another forum informs me ..

"Well, I finally looked up your Auto-5 in the S/V book, and I think you hit the Mother Load! The engraving didn't seem to be a standard FN "Type", but on page 218 I saw a picture of your gun -- especially engraved by Felix Funken for the 1930 World's Fair in Liege. As far as I can tell, there's not another one like it."


I also paid a small fee to have an "expert" pass opinion and value , I wasnt very happy with his initial response and had to point him in the right direction , heres what he said...


"John,

I went a dug out my copy of the book "Browning Auto-5 Shotguns, The Belgian FN Production", and Felix Funken was indeed a factory engraver for FN. He was hired in June of 1926, and passed away in 1965.

On the top left panel of page 218, the gun you refer to is shown (with the receiver in the white). It appears that you have verified provenance. On page 223, there is a list of eight Master engravers, and dozens of other "known" engravers that worked for FN.

In light of the information verified in the book, it is safe to say that this shotgun has considerable value, but with it being a "one-of-a-kind" it is not possible to put a precise value number on it. That will only be known when it actually sells. My "estimate" is that it is worth approximately $15,000. Potential buyers/collectors may be willing to pay more.

Bert H. WACA #6571L, Historian "


Here she is ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/144944018@N03/

Now unlocked ! I posted the above before introducing myself , anyhow I`d like to know what you guys think of this old A5 .
Cheers

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I thought it would be easier to post a few of your pictures. There's more at the link.

I thought it would be easier to post a few of your pictures. There's more at the link.

Many thanks for that @Rudolph31 .

You’re welcome, John. Hope I can be as helpful as that "guy on another forum"!

I just clicked , small world.

Here are the standard FN engraving Types and their counterpart Browning Grades:

That is wonderful, I would love to have a fancy engraved A 5 (or any weapon).

I believe there was also an A-5 Browning Grade 1, FN Type 1 catalogued that exhibited no engraving at all. I've seen a few pictures of examples but never in person. My friend has a Type III that he sold because he thought it was too pretty to hunt with.

You are right. According to S/V, up until approximately 1938 a Grade 1 Browning had no engraving. About that year the Grade 2 was no longer offered, but the Grade 1 had a simplified version of the Grade 2 engraving. That's not true of World Market guns, at least through the 1960's.

Here is a 1930 Grade 1 Browning.

And here is a 1931 Grade 2:

And a 1938 Grade 1 with the now standard engraving:

@Rudolph31 , Any chance you could put the pic up from the book that shows my A5 ?
Thanks

I'll work on it. Have you received your copy yet?

Not yet , none in the UK.