doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Browning A-5 FN

The D=6.5/19 is chamber dimensions. This would interpret to a 6.5 CM (65mm/2 9/16") chamber length having a diameter just ahead of the rim seat of 19mm (.748"). As I recall when two diameters are found on the same bbl as the 16.7 & 16.8 the smaller one was measured before final finishing of the bore with the larger on being final bore dia. Thus in final finishing it was enlarged from about .657 to.661". The choke remained constant at 16.3mm or .642", thus about .019" constriction.

Thanks for the interpretation of choke measurement and chamber Miller. About modified I figure. Another early A-5 16ga I have, my grandfather's, also had the short chamber and he had the chamber opened to 2 3/4" as well as widening the ejection port. I would not open the chamber on this one due to possible collector value.

OK, following johnr's advice I located the serial number on the barrel which confirms that the 266 number on the frame is in fact the SN for the gun. That makes this one a first year of production for the 16ga guns. The serial number sequence started over at 1 in 1909 for the new 16ga guns.

I am researching the gun for a local guy who'd like to sell it. I don't collect Brownings, but suspect this one would be of interest to someone who does. The owner has (of course) asked my estimate of value and I got no idea...Geo

High grade Brownings like this are seldomly seen. Too bad this one was as neglected as it was. And the white line pad is just great. At least it is not too far gone to be cleaned up if desired.

That's what I thought too Mr. Dudley. Added pad is hard as a rock and does not fit anyway. I'm thinking it might be a WW-2 bring back; wonder if the paper is still around..Geo

George, I hope you don't mind but I put a link to this thread on Shotgun World in the Browning section, there are some very knowledgeable Browning collectors there that may be able to help you. It appears to be a rare and beautiful A5.
Looks like it is first year for the 16 gauge 1909, collectors will be very interested in this gun.
Link to 16 gauge specific information.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=297760

Thanks once again johnr! I do not mind at all...Geo

Thanks for sharing George, interesting gun.

What I really want find out now may beyond hope, but I suspect this may be a WW-2 'bring-back' from the civilian gun confiscation our army did on the way to Berlin in order to prevent the likelihood of a civilian insurrection behind the combat line. GIs were allowed to ship some of them back home. Many fine European guns entered the USA in that time period.

My fantasy is that some local German Baron ordered this repeating shotgun in 1909 when it came out in 16ga to be the first in the area to own one for boar hunting. Then, it was surrendered in 1945 and has been standing in the corner of some former GI's closet ever since.

The local young man who has it dropped it by the house earlier this week when I was at work and told my wife he'd like me to look at it and tell him what he had, with the idea of disposing of it. I have not spoken to him but might find out some history when I do...Geo

That late Fray-Mershon or early Pachmayr "Whiteline" pad is certainly period correct for something a returning GI might have slapped on the gun.

I don't see that exact engraving pattern shown in Shirley & Vanderlinden, but there are some patterns with very similar acanthus leaves.