Looking for more info and advice on this shotgun. BROWNING AUTO FIVE SHOTGUN My father was Maj. Gen. Howard G Garrison who ended his 42 year military career in command of the 42nd division in New York City. He was also an airborne Ranger and served with Merrill’s marauders and the Mars task force in the China Burma India theater during World War II. Upon his retirement from the National Guard in 1978, there was an elaborate retirement ceremony where individual units under his command in the division presented him with their retirement gifts. There were dress swords mounted on plaques; numerous plaques extolling his virtues as a commander and one in particular that I have had since his passing in 2007. This Browning light 12 shotgun to the best of my knowledge has never been fired. My dad was not a bird hunter or a trap shooter and he kept it on the wall and for a number of years I have kept it in my gun safe. I’ve thought about shooting it but never done so. Other than very minimal scratches probably caused by storage with other weapons, it is absolutely pristine. 01260 RR211 - 211 indicates “light 12” and RR indicates manufactured during 1977. The 01260 is the serial number of the shotguns manufactured in that year. Surprising to me was that it was manufactured in Japan. There is extensive and intricate factory engraving. All of the wooden furniture is highly polished and seems to be without damage. On the side of the barrel is the legend “special steel 12gauge shells 2 ¾” – 28. I have a middling size firearms collection – some mine and some came to me upon his passing. I doubt there is anyone in my family who will take an interest in firearms so I am considering disposition of this retirement gift. It would be nice if I could sell it to someone or some organization that would be interested in it as an unfired shotgun with “history”. The reason I am writing this synopsis is that I was watching an episode of “Gun Stories” and it happened to be on the auto five. So I decided to do this research and documentation so that the history of this piece would not be lost or forgotten (I’m about to be 76 years old). I hope this is interesting to the members of this forum and I would be very interested in all input as to what I might do with this unfired and interesting shotgun.
“Unfired” isn’t the same as “New In the Box” (NIB). After it’s out of the box and assembled, it’s used and price is determined by condition. Miroku made Auto-5’s are valued as shooters, as collectors concentrate on “Belgian Brownings”. Your gun was made before the advent of interchangeable chokes, so I’m guessing a value of $800-$1000. If I were you I’d keep it in remembrance of my father. What happens to it after you pass isn't your problem.
I have his M1, his 1911 .45 he carried in Burma, his General Officers .32ACP, dress swords, piece of mortar shrapnel that almost got him, He's everywhere in my house so this could go if anyone made a case for it.
Very nice, however, unfired don’t hold much value to me personally. I see no need to have anything that’s not used for it’s intended purpose.
There are two ** on the right side of barrel. I believe that indicates "** designates modified choke (M)"
