doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT - High grade Auto5 info

Yup, Grade 4, pictured on cover of referenced book, unless the cover reference is incorrect and the page 163 reference is correct in calling it a Grade 6. I guess the catalog reference would trump the contradiction in the Shirley book. Either way, this gun is pictured both on page 163 and in color on the cover. The cover credit is on the back flyleaf.

This gun was made in 1930. The engraving and inlay is of yellow and green gold and matches the photo in my 1937 Browning catalog for a Grade IV gun. It is identical to the engraving on my 1935 16ga Grade IV.

Bill, no contradiction in S&V, just a timing issue. The gun pictured in this string is a Grade 4, had it been made in 1913 or so they would have called it a Grade VI.

Bosun, I'd love to see some pics of your 1935 gun!
Jeff

Check these out:
http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/guns/9903-9905.htm

The gun has been in my family for many years. I cant tell you exactly how many, but its been in the safe for at least 40 years. I believe the gun was my grandfathers, but my mother nor older brothers can recall ever hearing where the gun came from. I thought it was a grade IV, but I dont have much Browning A5 data. I guess I know its a grade IV for sure now right! Anyways, thank you all for the help, its greatly appreciated. Out of curiousity, how many grades did Browning make? I dont believe Ive ever seen anything higher then a grade IV. Thanks again

I believe that in the later system the highest grade was Grade V, it was a game scene engraved reciever with a French gray color.

I'd trade three of those for your Grade 4. I think the Belgian game scenes are pretty cartoonish.

Jeff

De Luxe Model Type VI is on pics.
No idea, when and how grade system has changed, but according to my catalog from 30-th from Belgium it's type VI.
The grading system was the following:

Standard Model
De Luxe Model Type I - deep ornamental scroll engraving
De Luxe Model Type II - deep ornamental scroll & leaf engraving
De Luxe Model Type III - deep scroll & leaf engraving Louis XV style
De Luxe Model Type IV - very beautifully engraved with Hunting scenes (birds and dogs)
De Luxe Model Type V - very beautifully and fine engraved with Hunting scenes (boar and hound dogs, birds)
De Luxe Model Type VI - very beautifully inlaid with real Gold

I have to add, this gun was the highest grade A-5 for all times.
Do not trade it for lower grade without any reasons.
You could trade it for 50%cc Purdey

The 1937,35,32 and 30 catalogs only list four grades. I have several high grade guns from the 1930's and a 1930's grade four has "gold inlay with green and yellow gold against a deep black finish".

I have several other A5s from that period with sales papers. # 798xx = 1930, # 1008xx = 1931, # 1660xx = 1935.

Maybe your catalogs are for the American market only. There are the book about Browning FN history, the answer is must be there.
My catalog of 1933/34 from Belgium.