Help understand s my auto-5's age

Discussion in 'Browning Auto A-5' started by GarethE, Mar 29, 2023.

  1. GarethE

    GarethE Copper BB

    Hi all,
    New to the site just got an old auto-5 in rough condition but looks to be salvagable. Looking to restore it but was interested in its age. Can some help me to understand its serial number it doesn't seem too clear?

    https://1drv.ms/i/s!Aqzwx9J1Y7i9hocPn_9T2q6sZ2H6vg

    Many Thanks
    Gareth
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2023
  2. Biz

    Biz 20g

    Hello Gareth,
    I believe it is a 1963 made for the European market. Does the marking on the barrel show Belgium or Belgique?
    Rudolph31 likes this.
  3. GarethE

    GarethE Copper BB

    Thanks - yes on the barrel it says "farrique nacionale d'armes de guerra herstal - Belgique"
  4. GarethE

    GarethE Copper BB

    @Biz based on this "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" maybe I'm misunderstanding but I would expect a M or G in the serial or am I misunderstanding?
    Thanks
  5. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Hello and welcome.

    You’re not misunderstanding anything, you just don’t have the full picture.

    “Brownings” were made by FN in Belgium, and later by Miroku in Japan. Browning Arms Company was the US importer, and since 1959 the US and Canadian importer of these guns. And after WWII, those guns were serialized differently than those sold on the world market.

    World market guns such as yours got a different system starting in the late 50’s, I believe. A better system, actually, with the year as two smaller digits preceding the SN.
    Auzzie likes this.
  6. Biz

    Biz 20g

    Thank Rudolph for the more elaborate answer.
    Rudolph31 likes this.

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