Browning A5 16g question

[crazy]

I bought a Browning A5 16 gauge shotgun from San Francisco Gun Exchange many years ago. It was used. Here's the weird thing about it, it has an 18 inch barrel and is parkerized. Did the previous owner butcher the gun? The serial number is A11xxx. Looking it up on the web, it looks like it was made around 1924. Any Browning experts out there?

[bjl333]

I am no expert but it could be a custom job by someone. I don't think they ever used a 16ga for a trench gun.

[Thefeeder]

Browning's shortest barrel was 20"...most are 24-32"

The serial # A xxxxx was short lived and only used for a "Sweet 16" in the late 50's. "A" denoting a "sweet 16"

The Sweet 16 is lighter at about 6.5 lb then the Stardard 16.

[crazy]

http://proofhouse.com/browning/a5.htm

This is where I looked up the serial number. That is why I thought it was around 1924. I read on another website that A was for 16 gauge. I don't think this is a sweet 16.

[Thefeeder]

I know I read that......I do believe it was 1957-1958...I'll try to find it again.

Meanwhile, does your A5 have the safety on the side of the trigger guard, 2 3/4" chamber and the speed loading feature?

What are the marking on the side of the barrel?

Left side.... ""Browning Arms Company St. Louis, MO"

Ckoke code"Special Steel" "16ga"

16ga 2 3/4" shells

Right side......."made in belguim"

[crazy]

I know I read that......I do believe it was 1957-1958...I'll try to find it again.

Meanwhile, does your A5 have the safety on the side of the trigger guard, 2 3/4" chamber and the speed loading feature?

What are the marking on the side of the barrel?

Left side.... ""Browning Arms Company St. Louis, MO"

Ckoke code"Special Steel" "16ga"

16ga 2 3/4" shells

Right side......."made in belguim"

I'm not home so I'm going by memory. Everything you wrote is there except the made in belguim. I looked for it before. I will check again when I get home. I don't know what the speed loading feature is. I will try to post some pics. So do you think someone chopped it up. I found 16 gauge buckshot once. Any idea where to find more?

[Thefeeder]

I'm not home so I'm going by memory. Everything you wrote is there except the made in belguim. I looked for it before. I will check again when I get home. I don't know what the speed loading feature is. I will try to post some pics. So do you think someone chopped it up. I found 16 gauge buckshot once. Any idea where to find more?

Safety on the side is post WWII

Speed loading....with the bolt open and the gun empty, the first shell loaded into the mag tube will cycle into the chamber and will be ready to fire. Also a post war feature

Check the net for buckshot in 16ga. I seen slug for sure.


Is it chopped?....I would be very surprised if it was special ordered with an 18" and park finished...I would say its been bubba'ed .

[crazy]

Safety is like a Rem 870. When I get a chance, I will try to post pics.