Stallones,
The 16 ga A5 #116875 was shipped by FN to Browning in shte second half of 1938. X93955 was shipped in the fall of 1953. The speed load feature was introduced right about that time. Is yours speed load or regular?
TT,
the proof marks on all FN A5's include the chamber information. The numbers are usually surrounded with a horshoe shaped emblem.
You may need help determining if the gun was modified, but the quick and dirty way is to look at the reciever where the barrel enters. If the barrel extension is flush with the receiver it is unmodified. If about 3/16's of shiny unblued barrel extension are sticking out it has been modified. But that is not all you should look for as a lot of them were modified by hacks that did not necessarily do all the other changes so the gun may not be up to snuff. PM me if you need help with the more subtle points on conversion.
If you have a conversion done I'd send it to Midwest or Art's. Even if there is a local guy you like, dont give him the job unless he is very comfortable with the process.
Jeff
