my father gave me my great-grandfather's Belgium 12ga Auto-5 when I was 12 years old after he had it re-blued with a new Remington 'replica' barrel but without the thick sight-rib that was on top of the old well-used barrel.. I was tasked to clean all the long-guns since around 8 years old.. it still looks the same after using it on many hunts and high school trap and skeet competitions.. now I know S/N 50527 was made in 1921, thank you.. she never felt heavy when I was younger.. at 70 years old she's a beautiful but hefty machine whose weight took most of the kickback off my right shoulder...
Awesome video... Like others I was lost with the charts on the Browning site...you made this very simple. I have a 70V Magnum! 32" barrel! Thanks to you, now I know that!
Thanks for the work y’all did on my A5 mag 12 gauge. I was so proud to see what kind of job y’all did. Sending to Arts was the best move I could have ever made. I can’t thank you enough. I wish I could do something to show how happy and proud I am. Thanks again.
based off your chart my grandfathers A5 was number 101075, made in 1927, nearly a century old and i will make sure it sees another century. thank you, truly.
Thanks for this. I have been trying to date my Browning A5 that I inherited from my grandfather. Looks like was made 1955 with a serial number of H79027. It still shoots very good and is very reliable. I shot a round of trap with it recently and scored 23 of 25.
Buddy that was really helpfull, i just inherited a Japanese made PX series wich stands for 1983 according to your board, and all i can say is that it is a really sturdy and well made gun. I'm waiting untill i shoot it next week! Thanks a lot for the info!
Thanks. Way easier than Browning site. My daddy just gave me his 1973 mag 12 he bought new the year I was born, 1974. The deer in eastern NC were happy to hear that weapon has been relocated…..
Great presentation! More helpful than the Browning page. Buying a "Magnum Twelve" was a little like getting married. It was only after the deal that I learned her true age.
What Mark said Brad/Art........I received my light Belgium 12 in 1973 as a graduation present from my Gunsmith Father. He procured it from a friend who was a Docter who completed his collection of Brownings and liquidating and starting a new collection. Very informative video, thanks much!
Your information is absolutely clear as a bell ! Browning’s website is very confusing! Thanks to Your info I now know my A5 Light 12 was made in 1955. Thank You so much.
Thanks guys. My wife got her great grandfathers A5 12 for Christmas. I was trying to date it. It indeed has a 2M above serial number so thanks to your video we are calling it a 1962.
Mine is in the same era. Under the the receiver is 3G which it seems would be a 1963 Light 12. However there is no serial number below it. What is up with this?
My brother just bought me this for my birthday this year and after watching your video and looking on browning’s website. My auto 5 was made in 1907. I kinda don’t want to shoot it now on my annual dove hunt
Thank you for a great, informative video! (Just bought a Browning "Light Twelve" today with "73G" stamped on it...oh and the word "Belgium.") Thanks again for your knowledge! Keep up the good work...
Thanks for the video. About 30 years ago I purchased a 1929 A5 12G. Bead front sight, no vent rib, no checkering and no engraving on steel. I believe "12G Full special" means full choke? The wood has no cracks but the gun looks like it has been used but well taken care of. I only shoot heavy loads and the cycling works without failure no matter how fast I can manage to squeeze the trigger. A testament to the reliability of John Browning gun making genius!
I got my Browning Auto-5 from an arms dealer friend. It had taken it from a collector. I've been trying to date this rifle for years but the serial number suggests it was made during the war when there was no production at the time. namely 226743. The rifle functions perfectly.
Just purchased my first auto 5 thanks for information can't tell y'all how much it helped me through the searching and buying process hats off to you fellas
Thanks Guys, I called Browning to get a factory letter for my Great-Grandfathers’ 12Ga but they didn’t have any records. Your chart tells me it is from 1938 Thanks Travis
You did not include the 16 ga models. The lightweight or Sweet 16 used an S for the post '57 models. So a 1961 Sweet 16 would start with 1S. Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.
So #1270 is a 1903 browning ? The gun my dad gave me at age 14 for duck hunting. I can't believe this,I better sit down and double check this . Holy cow!
What about the Brownings made in WWII by Remington, in Illion, NY? Serial numbers are on the side of the receiver for these guns. They are clearly marked Browning. Do we not consider these Browning A-5s?
Thanks for making this, very helpful. I found a website that verified the same thing, but this made it a lot easier to get a solid date and learn some new info on an old Japanese mag12 I came across. Like others in the comments its a 32" barrel which I thought was awesome, no choke threading but it shoots steel so figured at 32" the pattern should be pretty tight. Thanks again.
The serial number for a Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun made between 1940 and 1946 is located on the side of the receiver. During this time, Remington produced the Auto-5, and the serial number may have the letters "ABC" to indicate the gauge of the gun. "A" stands for 16 gauge, "B" for 12 gauge, and "C" for 20 gauge.
Great video guys. I just picked up an A5 and it dates at 1965. Supper nice shape. I would like to now look into the proof marks and serial number on the barrel to get a little more info. Is there a good on-line source for this info? Cheers.
Question for everyone. I just inherited my grandfather’s 16 gauge Browning A5. Serial number 45557. Browning Arms company ogden utah on barrel. Fabrique nationale d armes de guerre herstal belgique in receiver. According to your video, this is dated to 1914. But would this be the case with the 16 gauge? Thanks for the info
I still can’t quit tell what mine is. Mines only got 4 numbers(7686) and a [v] in a square below them. Nothing else. No G. No L. That’s it. Can anybody help me here?
Hello. Very helpful. Thanks. However, I do have a question. Recently bought an Auto 5 and can't figure out the manufacture date by the serial number. The serial number on the shotgun is 60 (small size font) 18928 on regular font size. I can't post a picture here but would love your help to find out information about this gun. Is there an email to where I can send a picture? Thanks
Thanks for the video. Very helpful. You said in 53 that Browning came out with two lines L and G. What about the Light 12's made before 53? I have one with a SN of 344153. Is there a separate chart for them?
I haven't watched the video yet, but Ive been dating mine for 5 years and Im ready to take it to the next step. Should we move in together or go straight to marriage? Asking for a friend.
Hey thanks for the great info on the Browning Auto5. I am confused a bit by one of my Auto5's - it's SN is 91455 -Standard weight-plain barrel which dates to 1927! But, it also has a 9M above it. Looking thru the charts you provided, I don't see that code (9M standard weight code) until 1959. Did they those codes back in 1927? Any help will be appreciated😁
Might need to add a few more numbers to the 'H' Standard Series. I'm looking at one with a 'H stamped above the number 41152 number. Which I would think is a 1954 based on your charts. It's jist that your chart numbers for 'H' don't go that high. What are your thoughts on this (1954 or 55)? She's in excellent shape. A very very clean gun with a poly choke and magazine cut off.
Good to know! Awesome video. My dad that passed 16 yrs ago had a FAB. N non magnum with a like 6” huge muzzle brake on it. I’m guessing it’s late 50s, early 60s, it’s currently locked away safely at a cousins house.....BUT, when they borrowed it the BROKE the muzzle brake off! I CANNOT find a barrel(with or without the ugly muzzle brake.) Any ideas once I get serial #?
Just picked one up at a flea market, serial in the 58,000’s. There is an ‘H’ above the serial number instead of the FN logo; what does this mean? Is it actually made in 1923 as the seller thought? Maybe at a different factory in Belgium?
Thank YOU!! Browning c onfused me. I had a G31366, thought is was '57. but yours showed m '56.. St. louis side,. I don't have the purchase receipt from my dad.. But i shot it when i was 7... I'm 65 now..
Thank’s Art for all of your videos I have enjoyed all of them and learned a lot. I grew up using a Browning A5 12 gage standard that was handed down to me by my dad. I love Browning firearms I have many different Browning shotguns and rifles and I have never had a Browning fail me yet. I also have an FN A5 16 gage with the suicide safety and a solid rib barrel. I love this shotgun but I can’t find much information on this shotgun. Do you have charts that will tell me when it was made?
my dad got one from his dad and my dad is going to give it to me. he once told me to be VARY careful because its full choke and that it tends to go Full Auto.
My browning has a 7G on it. ..manufactured in 1967. Had a guy tell me it was a Japanese shotgun. Watched this and saw he didn’t know what he was talking about.
I’m looking at buying what I believe to be an Auto 5. But the serial number is on the side and there’s no number on the bottom. How can I tell what company made this gun? The serial number begins with a “B” and has 5 numbers afterwards.
You scanned over the part about when they added the number in front of the letter. If it shows 0G and then number below, can you clarify… this means it’s a light model?
I was give an A5 by a friend that doesn't know firearms at all. After trying to check the number it doesn't seem to match any of these records. The serial number has a prefix of FN in an oval the 6 numbers starting 439xxx. Now the charts only go up to 438000. Any suggestions?
I watched your video, I have a Browning A5 1953 model 12G but the serial number does not have a L/G or a M/H at all. it has FN in a circle and then the serial number? Please advise
my father gave me my great-grandfather's Belgium 12ga Auto-5 when I was 12 years old after he had it re-blued with a new Remington 'replica' barrel but without the thick sight-rib that was on top of the old well-used barrel.. I was tasked to clean all the long-guns since around 8 years old.. it still looks the same after using it on many hunts and high school trap and skeet competitions.. now I know S/N 50527 was made in 1921, thank you.. she never felt heavy when I was younger.. at 70 years old she's a beautiful but hefty machine whose weight took most of the kickback off my right shoulder...
Awesome video... Like others I was lost with the charts on the Browning site...you made this very simple. I have a 70V Magnum! 32" barrel! Thanks to you, now I know that!
Thanks for the work y’all did on my A5 mag 12 gauge. I was so proud to see what kind of job y’all did. Sending to Arts was the best move I could have ever made. I can’t thank you enough. I wish I could do something to show how happy and proud I am. Thanks again.
Thanks for the feedback. Let us know if you need anything else.
based off your chart my grandfathers A5 was number 101075, made in 1927, nearly a century old and i will make sure it sees another century. thank you, truly.
this chart says mine is 1923, brownings official website says it’s a 1927 my number is (60398) under a FN stamp
Thanks for this. I have been trying to date my Browning A5 that I inherited from my grandfather. Looks like was made 1955 with a serial number of H79027. It still shoots very good and is very reliable. I shot a round of trap with it recently and scored 23 of 25.
Hi.. Where exactly is the serial number located im having a bit of trouble
@@jayalarcon72bottom side near trigger
Buddy that was really helpfull, i just inherited a Japanese made PX series wich stands for 1983 according to your board, and all i can say is that it is a really sturdy and well made gun. I'm waiting untill i shoot it next week! Thanks a lot for the info!
Thanks. Way easier than Browning site. My daddy just gave me his 1973 mag 12 he bought new the year I was born, 1974. The deer in eastern NC were happy to hear that weapon has been relocated…..
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. I have a 1970 magnum 12 gauge. You took the stress out of trying to figure that out. Perfectly presented.
I was looking all over trying to get magnum dates. Finally came across this video and answered all my questions. Thank you.
Just inherited my fathers original 1958 (8G XXXXX) Light Twelve! Appreciate the information. Glad I can pass it on to my son some day.
Great presentation! More helpful than the Browning page. Buying a "Magnum Twelve" was a little like getting married. It was only after the deal that I learned her true age.
What Mark said Brad/Art........I received my light Belgium 12 in 1973 as a graduation present from my Gunsmith Father. He procured it from a friend who was a Docter who completed his collection of Brownings and liquidating and starting a new collection. Very informative video, thanks much!
Your information is absolutely clear as a bell ! Browning’s website is very confusing! Thanks to Your info I now know my A5 Light 12 was made in 1955. Thank You so much.
Thanks for a great video I just dated mine it’s a 1906 and still seems to work fine 👍🏼
Thanks guys. My wife got her great grandfathers A5 12 for Christmas. I was trying to date it. It indeed has a 2M above serial number so thanks to your video we are calling it a 1962.
That is correct.
Mine is in the same era. Under the the receiver is 3G which it seems would be a 1963 Light 12. However there is no serial number below it. What is up with this?
Excellent video Art. Now I know how old my A5 is. A fun bit of “detective” work.
My brother just bought me this for my birthday this year and after watching your video and looking on browning’s website. My auto 5 was made in 1907. I kinda don’t want to shoot it now on my annual dove hunt
I inherited my uncle's Light Twelve. It's from 1956, thanks for the help!
Thank you for a great, informative video! (Just bought a Browning "Light Twelve" today with "73G" stamped on it...oh and the word "Belgium.") Thanks again for your knowledge! Keep up the good work...
This is the greatest video! You answered all my questions about both of my browning 12 Guages. And no bs. Thank you, you da man!! 🙌
Thanks for the video. About 30 years ago I purchased a 1929 A5 12G. Bead front sight, no vent rib, no checkering and no engraving on steel. I believe "12G Full special" means full choke? The wood has no cracks but the gun looks like it has been used but well taken care of. I only shoot heavy loads and the cycling works without failure no matter how fast I can manage to squeeze the trigger. A testament to the reliability of John Browning gun making genius!
Great video! Just inherited my Papas browning 12 mag made in 1971 thanks for the video
I got my Browning Auto-5 from an arms dealer friend. It had taken it from a collector. I've been trying to date this rifle for years but the serial number suggests it was made during the war when there was no production at the time. namely 226743. The rifle functions perfectly.
Just purchased my first auto 5 thanks for information can't tell y'all how much it helped me through the searching and buying process hats off to you fellas
Great post…thank you. From a like new L-108 inheritance. Been 40 years since I used it. Amazing.
Thanks Guys, I called Browning to get a factory letter for my Great-Grandfathers’ 12Ga but they didn’t have any records. Your chart tells me it is from 1938
Thanks
Travis
Thank you for the video. I was able to determine my light 12 auto 5 was made in 64, 1 year before my dad was born
Thanks so much. Was able to date my dad's 1954 light 12 with your video. Great video.
Very helpful. Way easier to follow than the chart on browning website. If I understood this right my browning was made in 1963
inherited my dads light twelve, its from 1979 japan model, thank you for the fine research.
Thanks so much! Have tried to decipher the SN on my dad's A5 for a while with no luck. 1956 it is!
Just bought a 64 magnum ..so excited ..you helped me date it
I inherited my grandpa's 1962 magnum. Thank you!
You did not include the 16 ga models. The lightweight or Sweet 16 used an S for the post '57 models. So a 1961 Sweet 16 would start with 1S. Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.
Yes very useful information thanks keep up the good work and hoip you and family and your work colleagues are safe and well
So #1270 is a 1903 browning ? The gun my dad gave me at age 14 for duck hunting. I can't believe this,I better sit down and double check this . Holy cow!
Thank you. I inherited 2 auto 5 magnums one 20 gauge and the other is a 12 gauge.
My a5 says "9868" and that's all what year would that be?
And what could it be worth? My great grandpa left it to me.
Thanks for a very helpful video
What about the Brownings made in WWII by Remington, in Illion, NY? Serial numbers are on the side of the receiver for these guns. They are clearly marked Browning. Do we not consider these Browning A-5s?
They are. Just an odd lot type. These are not the only variants put there, for what it's worth.
Thank you that was very helpful. Mine was made the first year of the lightweights
Thanks for making this, very helpful. I found a website that verified the same thing, but this made it a lot easier to get a solid date and learn some new info on an old Japanese mag12 I came across. Like others in the comments its a 32" barrel which I thought was awesome, no choke threading but it shoots steel so figured at 32" the pattern should be pretty tight. Thanks again.
Thank you. You made it simple
The serial number for a Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun made between 1940 and 1946 is located on the side of the receiver. During this time, Remington produced the Auto-5, and the serial number may have the letters "ABC" to indicate the gauge of the gun. "A" stands for 16 gauge, "B" for 12 gauge, and "C" for 20 gauge.
Thanks Mark... Good stuff!
Great video! Thank you.
I found out that i got me a '65 magnum at my local pawn shop. Thank you!
Great video guys. I just picked up an A5 and it dates at 1965. Supper nice shape. I would like to now look into the proof marks and serial number on the barrel to get a little more info. Is there a good on-line source for this info? Cheers.
Very well done video. Great information!
Super helpful man!
Turns out I have a 1947.
Thank you for making this video.
Thank you kindly, I now know I have a 1953 light 12!
Thanks
I inherited grandpas
1959 A5 magnum 👍🏻
Thanks! Discovered my Magnum is a 1964
3G 20153 is the number on mine. What am I looking at? Great video, thank you.
1963
Question for everyone. I just inherited my grandfather’s 16 gauge Browning A5. Serial number 45557. Browning Arms company ogden utah on barrel. Fabrique nationale d armes de guerre herstal belgique in receiver. According to your video, this is dated to 1914. But would this be the case with the 16 gauge? Thanks for the info
my A5 was manufactured in 1912. very interesting.
3 years later I’m here, just dated my grandpas old 1969 Light A5
I still can’t quit tell what mine is. Mines only got 4 numbers(7686) and a [v] in a square below them.
Nothing else. No G. No L. That’s it.
Can anybody help me here?
Hello. Very helpful. Thanks. However, I do have a question. Recently bought an Auto 5 and can't figure out the manufacture date by the serial number. The serial number on the shotgun is 60 (small size font) 18928 on regular font size. I can't post a picture here but would love your help to find out information about this gun. Is there an email to where I can send a picture? Thanks
Thanks for the video. Very helpful. You said in 53 that Browning came out with two lines L and G. What about the Light 12's made before 53? I have one with a SN of 344153. Is there a separate chart for them?
I haven't watched the video yet, but Ive been dating mine for 5 years and Im ready to take it to the next step. Should we move in together or go straight to marriage? Asking for a friend.
Hey thanks for the great info on the Browning Auto5. I am confused a bit by one of my Auto5's - it's SN is 91455 -Standard weight-plain barrel which dates to 1927! But, it also has a 9M above it.
Looking thru the charts you provided, I don't see that code (9M standard weight code) until 1959. Did they those codes back in 1927?
Any help will be appreciated😁
1959
I inherited a 12ga Browning lite, but the serial # is 425385 which I did not see listed in your video. How can I tell when it was made?
1958 Light Twelve! Thank you!
Might need to add a few more numbers to the 'H' Standard Series.
I'm looking at one with a 'H stamped above the number 41152 number.
Which I would think is a 1954 based on your charts. It's jist that your chart numbers for 'H' don't go that high.
What are your thoughts on this (1954 or 55)?
She's in excellent shape. A very very clean gun with a poly choke and magazine cut off.
Mine is 1953. Handed down to me from my Father
Good information 👍
Very interesting. What if it is a FN serial number, where do I go to date the Firearm
Good to know! Awesome video. My dad that passed 16 yrs ago had a FAB. N non magnum with a like 6” huge muzzle brake on it. I’m guessing it’s late 50s, early 60s, it’s currently locked away safely at a cousins house.....BUT, when they borrowed it the BROKE the muzzle brake off! I CANNOT find a barrel(with or without the ugly muzzle brake.) Any ideas once I get serial #?
Just picked one up at a flea market, serial in the 58,000’s. There is an ‘H’ above the serial number instead of the FN logo; what does this mean? Is it actually made in 1923 as the seller thought? Maybe at a different factory in Belgium?
Thank YOU!! Browning c onfused me. I had a G31366, thought is was '57. but yours showed m '56.. St. louis side,. I don't have the purchase receipt from my dad.. But i shot it when i was 7... I'm 65 now..
Mine's a '57 Model Randy...G69853 Light 12 ~ Dad gave it to me in '66 when I was 10...still shooting strong ~
Thank you for this video!
Thank you! This was very helpful!!
I totally want to, but she's in love with my M1 Garand and won't give me the time of day. =)
Where did you get this info from because it's conflicting with Browning archives.
I have a Belgian made A5 that says "light twelve" on the side but the serial number puts it in a gap between 1920 and 1921. Have you seen this before?
I have seen a Browning Auto 5 for sale with the serial number G 6529. The G is above the 6529. Can you tell me what year this was made?
So I have a browning a5 H53426, this date fell between 1954 and 1955? But start and stop serial number don’t match? Can you help.
Is there a chance you know how to identify a browning BDA-380
Gotta Look. Thanks for the info
Thank’s Art for all of your videos I have enjoyed all of them and learned a lot. I grew up using a Browning A5 12 gage standard that was handed down to me by my dad. I love Browning firearms I have many different Browning shotguns and rifles and I have never had a Browning fail me yet. I also have an FN A5 16 gage with the suicide safety and a solid rib barrel. I love this shotgun but I can’t find much information on this shotgun. Do you have charts that will tell me when it was made?
th-cam.com/video/NMkdyFSeZ9g/w-d-xo.html
Thank You I love your videos please keep them coming.
my dad got one from his dad and my dad is going to give it to me. he once told me to be VARY careful because its full choke and that it tends to go Full Auto.
That sowd like a great sentimental thing to have passing down pall thumbs up 👍 from me
This is very helpful. Thank you!
My browning has a 7G on it. ..manufactured in 1967. Had a guy tell me it was a Japanese shotgun. Watched this and saw he didn’t know what he was talking about.
I’m looking at buying what I believe to be an Auto 5. But the serial number is on the side and there’s no number on the bottom.
How can I tell what company made this gun? The serial number begins with a “B” and has 5 numbers afterwards.
You scanned over the part about when they added the number in front of the letter.
If it shows
0G and then number below, can you clarify… this means it’s a light model?
Check out the video at 1:50
With the serial number starting with 3G the A5 12 chambered and three-quarter two and three-quarter what year am I looking at?
Thanks, now I know that I have a 1958 light 12
Thanks For this
Very useful
Tks
I was give an A5 by a friend that doesn't know firearms at all. After trying to check the number it doesn't seem to match any of these records. The serial number has a prefix of FN in an oval the 6 numbers starting 439xxx. Now the charts only go up to 438000. Any suggestions?
I also have a 439xxx. Seems there was still quite a run after 438000, or you & I have a couple unicorns worth their weight in gold haha.
Ok i have a Browning A4 serial L 47721 which is not 1954 or 1955 according to your list? What gives with that?
Wow! Guess mines from 1949! Didn't expect it to be that old since it has a synthetic stock n fore.. guess someone switched that out! Lol
Thanks! now I know that mine was made in 1962
I just assumed my gun was made in 63, 63V 20571 but the 63 doesn't match your years on the page any idea or am I right thinking it's still a 63
Just bought a a5. Serial number is H 15471. The standard series chart doesn’t show that number? It’s between 1953 and 1954?
Question ….. my dad left me his A5
Serial 2M 89193
The stock has a 5 stamped both sides behind receiver. Is this normal ?
Hello, thanks in advance, please advise: mine says 6887198
68 in small and the rest normal size
Above them written CI FN
I have a question. My serial number is 383504 which means it was made in 1952, however it says light twelve on the side. Why would this be?
I watched your video, I have a Browning A5 1953 model 12G but the serial number does not have a L/G or a M/H at all. it has FN in a circle and then the serial number? Please advise