Found this gem at a small local gun show, first year 1903 Browning A5 in wonderful condition for it's age. First year only available in 12 gauge and 2 grades, this one being the higher grade. First guns ordered from FN by John Browning himself.






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What a splendid shotgun - congratulations on your find.

Like I told you before, Augie, that is a sweetheart!

(P.S. We're overdue to get together again!)

No doubt gnoahhh, as soon as you are able, hope the recovery is going well.

Love the A5 shotgun. That's a beaut, congrats!

Have it's near twin back home. Dad bought it at a garage sale ages ago, metal was in great shape but the wood was broken at both ends with carriage bolts through the wrist. He had a gunsmith rebuild the stocks and rechecker them when I was just a little kid, don't know who the guy was but he did a fantastic job of it, from 5 feet you can't tell it was ever broken.

One difference is that ours has factory swivels, I've never seen another set like them and the one on the mag cap is a perfect match to both the rear swivel and the magazine cap, if they aren't factory they are at least period and very nice.

I have shot it some on doves as a kid, works flawlessly. Kills with gusto but I found out later it was because it's choked tighter than spandex! Neat old shotguns for sure. I like the straight grip and the fine point pattern checkering.

Very nice! Congrats on the find.

That is an unbelievably cool shotgun. Nice find.

What a fantastic find! Beautiful!

That is a great find, great of you to post.

Did you verify the ser. # for what year? They started
at Ser. #1, and approx. 228,000 were made from 1902-1939.
Browning has a nice website to help date guns to ser.#.

I just purchased a 1960 Auto 5, 12 ga. Light 12 this
past summer. I really like it, used it this fall on
pheasants, and will continue this winter.

Tried to get a letter from Browning but they have no records before 1923, only thing known is roughly 4600 were made first year 1903.

Interesting. My granddad's old A5 has a five digit SN.

SCORE!! Very cool, love the straight grip, don't see that much.

Love those straight stocked A5s...very nice find!

nice! i have a 16 gauge 4 shot model with the straight stock. from what ive found it is a 1910 vintage. this link was very helpful for me in nailing down production date. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=216472

Thanks for that link, that has to be one of the most detailed
online Browning Auto 5 discussions available.

What an incredible find. As a lover of A5 shotguns, I've been wanting a straight grip early gun forever. Congratulations.

Congratulations on the find. That is in a lot better shape than my 1903 vintage. Mine needs some serious TLC, but it has a three digit serial number which makes it pretty early. I'd like to find an original butt plate for it.