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John Molnar
PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:24 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Location: Maryland

H. CooperÂ’s Browning - A5 - Belgian made semi-auto shotgun - 16 ga, 2-9/16" shells; 27.5" solid rib barrel, marked 16-65 in a C.


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offhand35
PostPosted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:33 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 191
Location: Western Connecticut

I'm not sure of your question. You describe a pre- 1940 Auto-5 pretty well.
The 16-65 and "C", explains that the barrel is "caliber" 16 [ga], 65mm
[2 9/16"] chamber. The "solid rib" is actually hollow to save weight. and Browning called it a hollow matt rib. A serial number range will help with the date of manufacture.

If there is some engraving on the receiver, this is what Browning sold as the "Browning Special". It had special price for a Grade 2 gun with a hollow matted rib for the working man who wanted something a little more fancy than the [then] plain Grade 1, but did not want to spend for the vent rib bbl.
Before sometime in the late '30's or so, Grade 1 was completly plain, with no engraving. After that, Browning made the Grade 2 version the Grade 1, but the amount of engraving on the later Grade1's was less than on the older Grade 2.....

I have this exact gun, a with Poly-Choke on it. It is one fine shooter.

_________________
.....SQUIRREL, the OTHER dark meat.....
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John Molnar
PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:29 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Location: Maryland

2-9/16 shell size..Is that European ? I know they have different standards.
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16gaugeguy
PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:52 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 12 Mar 2005
Posts: 6535
Location: massachusetts

John, before Winchester came out with the Super Speed high velocity/high pressure shot shell, 2-9/16 was a standard length for 16 ga shells. Winchester made the Super Speed line 2-3/4' to discourage folks from firing them in guns not proofed for modern high pressure ammo.

Your A5 might be a candidate for having the chamber lengthened. I'd pass the idea past both an expert gunsmith and someone who might know if any collector value might be lost before doing it. Some of the guys hear know enough to advise the up or down side of such a move. Talk to us guys. What is the wise course of action hear?
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clayflingythingy
PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:48 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 311

A5 chamber lengthening is about $200. Eley and Gamebore 2 1/2 inch shells are about $10 a box when you mail order them. I left my A5 in the short length. A flat of shells last me a long time.
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