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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2001
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Can anyone tell me an approx. real-world value of a Browning A5 made in St. Louis. 12ga. 28" solid rib, modified choke.
It is absolutely in like-new condition and the owner (cousin)still has the original box. It was given to him as a gift in the 50's (which I remember very well). He never went hunting but said he shot it a couple of times then put it away.
Just looking for a ballpark figure to make an honest/realistic offer.
I already checked GB and GA but found no matches.
WN
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.
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Joined: May 2004
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2004
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Are you sure the barrel isn't just stamped St. Louis and the gun was made in Belgium?
Look a little closer.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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crowrifle
Could be, the bbl does say St. Louis, MO on it. I won't be able to double check that for a couple of days, though.
Either way--Belgium or St. Louis, any idea as to approx $$?
WN
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411 |
if he really got it in the 50s it was made in Belgium. should also have the round knob on the pistol grip. Solid rib instead of vent hurts you a little, but around here that's still a $850+ gun.
Proudly representing oil companies, defense contractors, and firearms manufacturers since 1980. Because merchants of death need lawyers, too.
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
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Saint Louis MO was the address for Browning USA in the made in Belgium days. A later gun will have St. Louis and Montreal Canada on the barrel. The serial number will give you the year, then you can place a value on it.
One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others. Archibald Rutledge
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
Check out www.shotgunworld.com and the Browning Forum. You can find about any info you ever wanted to know and some you probably never thought about. DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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crowrifle
Right you are! It was made in Belgium but has "Browning Arms St. Louis Mo." on the barrel.
End panel of the box indicates it is a Gr. 1 "Lightweight"
There is no mention of Montreal, CA on it.
THanks
WN
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,576
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,576 |
Dirtfarmer: Thanks for the link. The gun was made in 1954.
Thanks everyone for all your help! I got it pegged!
WN
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 636
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 636 |
Dirtfarmer thats a pretty cool story! And a sweet shotgun with history. I'm going guess you left the stock how it was after finding out the history? Do you ever shoot it?
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,576
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
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Hey, DF
How did you know that I was a Superposed guy? *L* You must have ESP!
I'll send you a PM in the morning. It took me three hours to read that whole thread!
You are one lucky man!
WN
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
Thanks guys. It was sort of a surrealistic experience. I met some great guys on the SGW site, a good number from Louisiana. I really enjoyed Bill Askins and got some inside info from him that only he could have provided.
Yes, I still have it and it handles great. The 28" barrels with open chokes, as specified by the Major, are spot on. I even like the rear positioned trigger.
I have several Supers and this one handles best of all.
DF
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 613
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 613 |
I like the mid 50's guns quite well. You've a nice one.
SGW made me spend way more money than I thought I would on A5s. Good forum...
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
I like the mid 50's guns quite well. You've a nice one.
SGW made me spend way more money than I thought I would on A5s. Good forum... '50's guns are cream of the crop, no doubt. The old pre-war guns are just interesting. There were so many variations, they were almost like custom guns. And with those guns, many were delivered to individuals, not wholesalers and big hardware stores like in later years. That makes them even more interesting because the provenance can often be documented. SGW is to the shotgun world what the Fire is to riflemen. I hate to say it, but those guys seem to have more class than a lot of what goes on here. When I cross reference the Fire from over there, I usually put in a disclaimer of sorts so they won't have too much cultural shock... DF
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