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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614 |
I am in search of any information regarding high grade Browning A5 production. Pictures will be posted tomorrow to help figure out exactly what grade the A5 is. Specs will also be listed with the pictures. Anything, such as when and how many were made, where I can find out more about it, etc etc is greatly appreciated. Thank you
Last edited by CMWill; 08/19/07 06:46 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,129 Likes: 198
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,129 Likes: 198 |
I guess there are not a lot of production figures for graded guns in Shirley and Vanderlinden. Nice pictures, though.
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Joined: May 2004
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614 |
Last edited by CMWill; 08/22/07 08:41 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,129 Likes: 198 |
Have you searched Eastman, Shirley, and contacted the Browning historian? I don't know how to contact FN's historian but I would like to know that.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15 |
I don't recall any high-grade A-5 production records from Matt Eastman's book; and I'm doing this grade guestimation from memory; but this gun looks like an early Grade III (I can't see any gold; but gold inlays would make this gun a Grade IV). Early A-5's were produced in four cataloged grades; the Grade I had absolutely no engraving (just roll-stamped maker's name and address), the Grade II was engraved in a fashion virtually identical to A-5's produced after WW II with flourishes of scroll, the Grade III featured scroll and game scenes (dogs and birds, and the examples I have seen had very nicely figured/colored English walnut stocks), and the Grade IV was the highest grade and featured intricate game scene engraving with gold inlay and gold wire borders. One characteristic of the Grade III gun was the engraved dog on the back side of the A-5 "hump"; old-timers referred to this figure as a "smiling dog". And although I don't recall high-grade production numbers, Eastman does date serial numbers so that you can determine the year of production.
Last edited by topgun; 08/22/07 09:06 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,129 Likes: 198
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,129 Likes: 198 |
The pictured gun doesn't seem to meet any of the standard grade criteria. Shirley and Vanderlinden picture many special order and factory presentation guns that may be more similar to the pictures. However, virtually none have names or numbers. The historian is the key to identifying the particular gun.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614 |
after doing a google, I found this http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/guns/9903-9905.htmMine matches the bottom photo of the A5, well, closer then the top gun does at least. There must have been slight engraving/inlay differences between engravers or years of production?
Last edited by CMWill; 08/22/07 10:31 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39 |
According to my 1930's Browning catalog this is a Grade IV.
Granite
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,177 Likes: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,177 Likes: 43 |
I have seen a couple of Auto 5's in a similar configuration. The latest,a 16 gage plain barrel in dreadful condition. The engraving pattern differed slightly, with outlines around the edge of the receiver. I believe the dealer had it marked as a Type IV.
Regards,
Ken
Last edited by Ken Nelson; 08/23/07 09:32 AM.
Dodging lions and wasting time.....
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 325
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 325 |
In the early Browning grading system this gun was referred to as a Grade VI. Reference Shirley/Vanderlinden, page 163.
In the later Browning grading system this was referred to as a Grade 4. Reference Shirley/Vanderlinden, page 139.
The serial number establishes that it was made in 1929 so I would tend to call it a Grade 4 as identified in the 1930 catalog mentioned earlier.
Also the checkering pattern is typical of the later (grade 4) style.
Wonderful gun, is there a story behind it?
Jeff
Jeff
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