SNs 3201 â€“ 15000 were invoiced between 1st Jan. Browning informed me the gun left the factory in 1955.ġ910 to 1914 There is only vague info about 16 ga SNs in SV (page 74) for the time 1910 to 1914. I found what I thought was a very early 1948 Sweet Sixteen based on the serial number. Other factors need to be taken into consideration to properly date your gun. I took the liberty to use the Calandar Year Jan.

Details about dates, transitions, exceptions, and other nuances can be found in the Shirley/Vanderlinden book, Browning Auto 5 Shotguns. These dates were gleaned primarily from Sauerfan's timeline and the Shirley/Vanderlinden book. The serial number and dates are approximations only. I decided to share it here since this is where much of my limited knowledge came from. I compiled this quick reference serial number guide for dating 16ga Browning A5s and the Auto 5-3 Shot, by serial number. A common mistake I have seen in many, many, gun shops and online sites is to assign the 12ga serial number date to a 16ga. Browning 12ga numbers began with number 1 in 1903. Doesn't get much use anymore.This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only. Great for pass shooting not so great in a laydown blind. The Hastings barrel is about as heavy as the 30' that came on the gun and swings easily. When the requirement to use non toxic shot came out I had the barrel reamed to modified and also purchased a 34' Hastings barrel which came with 6 chokes. I would agree, I have the same gun that I purchased new in 1972 and the serial number begins with 72V. Mine is 87XXX and no letters? I have looked everywhere?īelgium Browning, 12 gauge, 2 3/4' chamber and a round barrel. If anyone has any insight on this they can share with me, I would really appreciate it!

I would like to find out for sure, and maybe have it appraised as I don't shoot it and I am not sure if I want to hang onto it anymore. I know it is a magnum, so I am thinking maybe the 'V' is what they used to classify the magnums? However, the Browning website only lists 'M' or 'G'. So going by this I think it was made in 1971. I think this gun was produced in this time frame, but the serial looks like this: I have been on the Browning website to see if I can ascertain what year it was produced, but it hasn't been much help.įor Auto-5's made produced between 19, their website says the serials numbers started with two digits for the date of manufacture, then the letter M (standard weight) or G (light weight), followed by the 5 digit serial number. I have a Belgian made Auto-5, it was my dad's shotgun - he purchased it sometime during early 70's I believe.

Browning a5 serial number lookup