16ga.com ~ View topic - Browning A-5, 3-shot, 16ga===SOLD===

*Last edited by offhand35 on Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:27 am; edited 1 time in total*

Browning A-5, 3-shot, 16ga, 65mm [2 9/16"] made in 1937, has 1938 Sweet 16 IC plain bbl with matted top. Comes with commercially made plywood case & brass cleaning rod. This photo is from when I bought it, and the leather lace on pad has since been removed. It has been off long enough so that the finish has just about recovered. The only blemish is the tiny crack on the left side of the fore end near the receiver, visible in the photo. I have more photos and can email them. I will try to get more on line later.
$600 delivered to your FFL or C&R.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/brna516u065.jpg

Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 10

I'll take it! I sent you a PM

Thanks,

Decoy

Member Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 161 Location: New Mexico

Decoy, you sly dog... Smile

You must have seen that thread over at SGW. Good catch!

Offhand35, don't let Decoy's low post count fool you. If he's the same as "Decoy" on Shotgunworld, he's a confirmed A-5 addict and good guy.

Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 10

Hi Slim-

It is indeed me, and thanks for the vote of confidence! Heck of a way to start my first post - my heart is still pounding! Smile

Decoy

SOLD, pending funds.
It IS a gun to be very excited about! It is the nicest one I have, and is an incredibly sweet shooter. I am looking to fund another [16ga] project, but I plan to keep my other 2 A-5's for trap [30" full] and hunting [28" 3-shot, Briley choked].

Member Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 460 Location: Texas

You lucky dog......congrats man !!! I have been lurking in SGW and I am familiar with how you have lusted after one of these........it is really cool you found one, let alone a fair price to boot. Post some pics when you get it in your hands....I am very anxious to see it !! Don't worry, this gun will have a very happy home......MERRY CHRISTMAS DECOY !!!

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

This is a good deal all around....and the gun ended up in the hands of someone who will treasure it.

Decoy....you go girl!

Jeff

Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 596 Location: 17603

Very Nice Decoy!
I think I got it's older brother, from what I can gather at Proofhouse, this dates at 1931. Don't know what the * means above the serial #, maybe Jeff can chime in. Deluxe???
Cheers,
R*2

Member Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 460 Location: Texas

I just love the engraving on those early guns.

Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 10

Thanks everyone.

Russell, that is a beautiful gun. Looks like the wood is in particularly good shape. I believe it dates to 1939, however, making it the "younger" brother! Wink

Decoy

Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 181 Location: Great White North

See what happens when you live in Canada! All you can do is drool at the pretty guns. I was likely the first person to view that ad and not a darn thing I could do about it! Oh well, glad it went to fellow Browning nut. About those beer's Decoy, I'll crack a nice Labatt's Blue open in honour of your long-awaited find. Cheers!

Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 596 Location: 17603

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

To my knowledge the asterisk by the serial number means nothing of significance. Look at it with a glass and make sure it is not a tiny FN.

If I read the posts right your trying to date a 16 ga with the serial number 119,000. It would have been made in the first half of 1939.....

Because 118,200 was entered into the invenrtory on 12/31/38 and 124,300 was entered into the inventory on 6/31/39

I dont know about "proofhouse" but the Browning site has horrible data on old Auto-5's. HORRIBLE.

Jeff

Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 596 Location: 17603

Jeff,
Thanks for the input, definitely a *, there's a circled FN stamp as well. And continuing to dig for a date of manufacture, I've found the Blue Book listing for 16ga A-5's, which agrees with you and Decoy and the original seller. Are we confused yet?????? Very Happy

The Proofhouse listing appears to be for 12ga.
The learning curve continues here.
Cheers folks!
R*2

Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 596 Location: 17603

Folks,
Well, here IS the older brother then, nothing like the condition of " lil' brother ", and the engraving pattern changed remarkably,,,,,, but shoots good!
R*2