According to THE book (HM Shirley/Vanderlinden), 3-shot Auto 5s showed up as early as 1932, and the plain receiver grade I was replaced with the former Grade 2 engraved receiver in 1935.....both earlier than I recalled. No distinction on production numbers of 3-shot vs 5-shot, that I can find.
No records of 3-shot guns being produced after August 1947, or from 1940-after 1945. FN still made them into the 70s, but Browning didn’t sell them.
Last edited by hh4whiskey; 03/31/21.
