November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
According to the book "The Browning Auto-5 Shotgun" by Shirley and Vanderlinden, page 66, this shotgun was shipped between September 17, 1903 and December 21, 1903, making its manufacture the first to third months of production of what was to become the famous Model A5. The story on the Cockerill steel can be found on page 13. The shotgun was patented on October 9, 1900. An image of the first Browning Auto-5 serial No. 1 can be found on page 49. Right side of the frame is unadorned with no stampings. Left side of frame has the FN patent ending June 16, 1903. Top of barrel is stamped "BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS CO. OGDEN U.S. OF A.". The walnut stock is not checkered and has a straight style English wrist. Buttplate is a plain checkered composite. Shotgun has sharp legends, and retains approximately 99% of the expertly restored blued finish. Wood is excellent to near mint as restored. Fine action and fine, clean bore. This earliest Browning A5 shotgun we have seen, dating to the first three months of production and importation.