The production of the Auto-5 began in 1902. Produced by F.N., John M. Browning ordered 10,000 of these shotguns in his first order. In 1999 Browning issued the 'Final Tribute' version featuring engraved scenes of John M. Browning, the F.N. Factory and the Browning Brothers first store. Only 1,000 of these were produced in a high-grade wood. Production of the famous 'A-5' ceased after this final tribute.
To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's manuals online.
| Date | Historic Information | Serial Number Info | |||||
| 1903-1939 | First 10,000 shipped to U.S. Marked with 'BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS CO. OGDEN UTAH-U.S.A.' Very few serial number records remain. | Beginning with Serial Number 1 to approximately 228,000. Exact production figures are not available. Year of manufacture on Pre-World War II production is strictly a guess. | |||||
| 1940-1946 | From 1940 to 1946 production of the Auto-5 was turned over to Remington. Serial number is on the side of receiver. 'ABC' for American made Version. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge, C=20 gauge) | 1946+229,000-237,000 | |||||
| 1947 | 237001-249000 | ||||||
| 1948 | 249001-270000 | ||||||
| 1949 | 270001-285000 | ||||||
| 1950 | 285001-315000 | ||||||
| 1951 | 315001-346000 | ||||||
| 1952 | F.N. took over production of the Auto-5. | 346001-387000 | |||||
| 1953 | 387000-438000 | ||||||
| 1954-55 | Serial Numbering System changed. H=Standard Weight. L=Light Weight. | H1-H83000 L1-L83000 | |||||
| 1956 | Serial Number designation for the Light Weight changed to G. | H83001-H99000 G1-G23000 | |||||
| 1957 | Serial Numbering System changed again. M=Standard Weight. G=Light Weight. | M22000-M85000 G23001-85000 | |||||
| 1958-67 | From 1958 serial numbers were preceded by the date of manufacture. 8M=standard weight for 1958. 8G=light weight for 1958. Example: 8M1000 = A 1958 Auto-5 standard weight shotgun with serial number 1000 | G85001-G99000 8G1-8G2000 M=standard weight G=light weight | |||||
| 1968-76 | In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of Auto-5: M=standard weight G=light weight This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000. Example: 69G1000 = A 1969 Auto-5 Lightweight 12 ga.. shotgun with a serial number of 1000. | M-standard weight G=light weight | |||||
| 1976-1997 | In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
| Serial Number Example: 01001RT151 This would be an Auto-5 Magnum 12 ga.,manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 01001. | |||||
| 1999 | The Auto-5 will be discontinued for 2000. To commemorate this historic event for the Auto-5, Browning released the 'Final Tribute' version in 1999.
| Serial Number Example: 2000FT1001 This would be a Auto-5 'Final Tribute' 12 ga., manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 1001. |
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Serial number 57494 would have been from 1908. Image The browning Auto 5, the most successful semi auto shotgun in history, was a shotgun's. This is a Browning A5 Light 12 shotgun. Milling of the receiver to make the shotgun lighter) The serial number indicates that the year of manufacture is 1950. According to Browning, the serial number should be on the underside of the receiver just forward of the loading port. However, that could be different on a gun that is old enough. Gunnut64, If the numbers used to be on the side of the frame where you found it, then you have a very low number for an Auto 5.
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Browning A5 Serial Number
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Serial Numbers
SERIAL NUMBERS OFTEN ALLOW YOU TO DETERMINE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
Knowing the year your vintage firearm was made makes it easier to decide which gun catalog we sell will give you the best information about the company, models made and more. To help you determine the year made, find your serial number and then select a link from those below to sites that offer serial dates.
The Blue Book of Used Gun Values offers serial numbers for the following makers:
AYA, Boss & Co., Ltd, Browning, EJ Churchill, Colt, Colt Black Powder 2nd Gen, John Dickson & Son, AH Fox, German early Date Codes, German Modern Date Codes, Stephen Grant, WW Greener, Harrington & Richardson, High Standard, Holland & Holland, Italian Year of Mfg. Date Codes, Ithaca Gun Co., Charles Lancaster, Joseph Lang, Marlin Firearms, Mauser Broomhandles, Parker Brothers Shotguns, Piotti, James Purdey, Remington Date Code & SxS Shotguns, Savage/Stevens, LC Smith, Smith & Wesson, Spanish Year of Mfg. Date Codes, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Winchester Rifles, Winchester Rifle & Shotgun 1969+, Winchester Shotguns.
Other websites that may help (Information from websites other than the manufacturer website should be examined with some skepticism):
- High Standard Pistols Serial Ranges 1932-1942
- Ithaca Guns - Baker, Crass, Lewis, Manier, Magnum, Pre-WWII choke marks, Lefever Singles, Flues, Knick, Lefever Grade A, NID, Western Long Range
- Ithaca Guns Serial Numbers and Date of Manufacture
(containing serial information about: Baker DB Shotguns, Crass DB Shotguns, Lewis DB Shotguns, Manier DB Shotguns, Flues SB and DB Shotguns, NID DB Shotguns, Knick SB Trap Guns, LeFever Nitro Special DB Shotguns, LeFever 'A' Grade, Western Long Range DB Shotguns, Model 37 Standard Model Shotguns, Model 37 Solid Rib Shotguns, Model 37 All Grade Guns. - Lancaster, Charles (London) 1826-1901
- Lefever Sideloack Shotguns 1913 & Later (not serial numbers)
- Lefever Sideloack Shotguns before 1913 (not serial numbers)
- Mossberg did not put serial numbers on most long guns until 1968 (GCA 1968 required them)
- Remington - Navy Single Shot Pistols, Model 8, 81, 24, 241, RB Pistols (Types- not serial), RB Rifles- 1870, 71, RB Rifle Models- 1866-1933, Contract Lee Rifles, Pistols and Revolvers 1857-1918 (incomplete serial number for some), Rifles 1866-1933 (ditto), Shotguns 1874-1910 Serial numbers unknown.
- Smith & Wesson - Single Action Pistols, First Model .22, Second Model .22, New Departure Safety Hammerless, Ladysmith 1902-1911+
- Springfield Model 1873 and 1884 Rifles, Model 1873 Shotgun, Model 1903 Rifle, 1903A3 by Smith Corona Co.
- Stevens (description, illustration and years made)- Stevens did not put serial numbers on all long guns until 1968 (GCA 1968 Required them)