16ga.com ~ View topic - A little Model 11 history... correct this time

It is true that the Model 11 was the first American made automatic shotgun introduced in 1905. J. Browning couldn't get Winchester to let him have a royalty agreement so he approached Remington to make the gun. The Pres of Remington a Mr. Hartley had a heart attack and died while Browning was waiting to see him about the deal. So Browning went to Belgium and got F.N. to make them. About 10000 were made in 1903 stamped Browning Automatic Arms Company and about that many were imported and sold in the U.S. in 1904. FN made all the A-5's that were made for Browning until the mid 70's when Miroku started making them. FN (even though Browning discontinued the A-5) is still making custom A-5's to order. This is with the exception of about 65000 made for Browning by Remington in America during WWII. The only significant difference in the Mod 11 and the A-5 is that funky magazine cutoff lever on the A-5. Rem made the Mod 11 from 1905-1947 and produced about 850,000 of them in 8 grades:A- standard, R-riot, P-police, B-special, C-Trap,D- tournament, E-Expert, F-Premier. The standard mod 11 is a 5 shot made in 12,16,and 20 ga. The Mod 11 sportsman was introduced as an improved Mod 11 in a lighter 3 shot version in 1930. About 140,000 Sportsman's were made between 1930-47. The only real difference was the weight of the 3 shot and a restyled beavertail forend. Barrels are interchangeable as well as many other parts. The Sportsman was made in 3 grades, field, riot, and skeet. and all have an S on the serial number. The Savage 720 is identical to the Mod 11 and was made during the War and continued for some years afterward. The model 11-48 was a lighter streamlined (no hump back) version of the Mod 11 and was recoil operated also. The model 58 was Rem's first gas operated auto. The model 11 was may be the most popular auto ever made. It was cheaper than the imported Brownings, easier to come by, and it worked, everytime.

later, mod11rem

Thanks mod11rem.
I would only add that there were A5/Mod 11 'clones' made somewhere and sold by hardware stores even before Browning turned production over to Miroku. I have seen one marked only 'Pointer' and Memphis, TN. (no country of origin indicated)
Little help out there?

Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1480 Location: Mpls, MN.

A Browning A5 has two extractors on the bolt as opposed to the Remington's one. As to popularity, the Remington 1100 passed it by several decades ago.
Best,
Ted