How do I date a Browning A5? > Shotguns

grywlf52

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Posted: 7/28/2026 7:37:04 PM EDT

Title says it. I have a Browning A5 that I bought awhile back.
Serial number is two smaller numbers "65" and then four larger font number 1515.

So Serial number is 651515 but different font sizes.

Web search was no help for me.

TIA

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d4xycrq

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Posted: 7/28/2026 9:34:18 PM EDT

[#1]

1965? Just sold a fifties version for serious coin.

ar154all

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Posted: 7/28/2026 9:44:05 PM EDT

[Last Edit: ar154all][Edited] [#2]

Flowers and a movie?
(Damn, sorry .. not GD)

KitBuilder

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Posted: 7/28/2026 10:20:10 PM EDT

[Last Edit: KitBuilder][Edited] [#3]

That’s not matching the data I’m finding online either.
https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/shotgun/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html

Does it have a 1-piece shell carrier or 2-piece?
Maybe post some pics.

dahugo

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Posted: 7/28/2026 10:27:48 PM EDT

[#4]

Flowers and chocolate work for me.

Bladeswitcher

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Posted: 7/28/2026 11:17:59 PM EDT

[#5]

Originally Posted By grywlf52:

So Serial number is 651515 but different font sizes.

Web search was no help for me.

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Did you look at this page?:

https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/shotgun/auto-5-semi-automatic-shotgun.html

grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:07:45 AM EDT

[#6]

I did bu it didn't help.

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grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:08:35 AM EDT

[#7]

I asked my dad. It's at his place.

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grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:15:10 AM EDT

[#8]

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grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:17:38 AM EDT

[#9]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uWMMADkYZfHGfL757

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grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:18:31 AM EDT

[#10]

Attached File

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grywlf52

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:19:42 AM EDT

[#11]

Attached File

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sully

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:29:15 AM EDT

[Last Edit: sully][Edited] [#12]

Perhaps the first character is not the number 6, it is the letter G.

This may help some, as it gives other places and things to look at such as proof marks, and certain cosmetic things to look at, as when I started reading and going through a couple of the different pages, there are a lot of specific details to look for.

https://guncollectorsclub.com/browning-auto-5-serial-number-guide.htm

https://guncollectorsclub.com/browning-a5.htm
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Bladeswitcher

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:32:50 AM EDT

[#13]

OP, I hope you'll forgive this potentially insulting question, but . . .

Are you SURE it's a Browning? Any chance it's a Remington Automatic Shotgun?

fredshort

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Posted: 7/29/2026 10:52:35 AM EDT

[#14]

OP's dad here with new pics.
Attached File
Attached File

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Bladeswitcher

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Posted: 7/29/2026 11:02:48 AM EDT

[Last Edit: Bladeswitcher][Edited] [#15]

OK. Definitely a Browning.

grywlf52

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Posted: 8/15/2026 3:20:19 PM EDT

[#16]

Anyone have any ideas? I haven't been able to determine anything.

TIA

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Miami_JBT

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Posted: 8/21/2026 12:42:23 PM EDT

[#17]

Post WWII made Auto 5. Made between the early 1950s to the early 1970s, when Browning moved production to Miroku in Japan. The cross-bolt safety was done after WWII.

grywlf52

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Posted: 8/21/2026 1:59:06 PM EDT

[#18]

Thank you.

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D_Man

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Posted: 8/21/2026 2:15:15 PM EDT

[#19]

Some digging turned up that the ones with the smaller 2-number prefix were non-US market guns, and the prefix was the year of manufacture, so 1965?

KitBuilder

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Posted: 8/21/2026 11:32:31 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Originally Posted By D_Man:
Some digging turned up that the ones with the smaller 2-number prefix were non-US market guns, and the prefix was the year of manufacture, so 1965?

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What market would those have gone to?

D_Man

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Posted: 8/21/2026 11:52:37 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Originally Posted By KitBuilder:
What market would those have gone to?

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UK it sounds like, I was reading about it on a few of their bird hunting forums.

grywlf52

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Posted: 8/22/2026 11:29:46 AM EDT

[#22]

Thank you
Makes sense

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Panther1911

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Posted: 8/24/2026 12:11:38 PM EDT

[#23]

'87

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Benjamin Franklin

[FPC]
RIP WMD
RIP TerryC

grywlf52

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Posted: 8/26/2026 12:00:05 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Panther1911:
'87

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Go play in your litter box

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Moondog

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Posted: 8/26/2026 9:30:37 AM EDT

[#25]

Interesting to see the process of dating this shotgun. I recently had a similar journey with a Remington Model 11. Their numbering convention made little sense by itself without codes stamped on the barrel. Luckily it retained the OEM barrel.

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