Are the numbers on the barrel and the receiver supposed to match on an original A-5, or any gun? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
FN stopped applying the serial number to barrels in 1953. But those unmarked barrels still have a number that is often mistaken for a serial number. When marked, the serial number is on the barrel ring. For Auto-5’s made after 1953, it can be very difficult to tell if it has the original barrel. But it’s often easy to spot one that isn’t by the other markings.
One can determine if a particular barrel is appropriate for the rest of the gun based on markings on the barrel, but using that process will only get you within a few years-generally speaking. The bible goes into detail regarding how barrels were marked differently over the years.
Interestingly, my 1965 world market 12 gauge has matching serial numbers on receiver and barrel ring. It’s in the 65110nn range. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For every rule for Brownings , there seems to be exceptions. Usually it’s within a year or two. 1965 is amazingly outside the norm. Thanks. And Happy Independence Day!
Happy Indy Day to you all in the US! We should have been in Boston this week celebrating with our American friends - who would have thought the Workd would be this whacked up when we booked the trip last year? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reason I asked was I have a 12 gauge Special Steel Magnum that the numbers on barrel and receiver are different by a couple hundred. Sent from my LG-H700 using Tapatalk
I have a 1953 standard 12. The serial number on the barrel matches the receiver, but the digits on the barrel extension are off by a few. What year is your Magnum?
Are you sure it’s a Magnum? That model was introduced in 1958, and the serial number should have a prefix consisting of one or two digits and the letter V. One digit for the years 1958-68, then two for 1968-76. None of these guns should have a serial number on the barrel, though Nigel’s revelation makes anything possible.
Serial number on my receiver And matching number on barrel ring shoulder Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks, Nigel. I believed you, but it’s good to see the pictures. Hopefully, Murphranch will post pictures of his.
Here's what I got. SN#0V 28891 on the receiver and V28866 on barrel. Sent from my LG-H700 using Tapatalk
Thank you. The 0V prefix makes it a 1960 Magnum Twelve. In my original post I mentioned that when they put the serial number on the barrel, it appeared on the barrel ring, but that there was another number that could be mistaken for a serial number. V28865 is not a serial number. No reference explains it, but my guess is that it’s an inventory control number. V for magnum, and probably the 28,865th barrel produced. No attempt was made to match it to the receiver, and it's just a coincidence that it’s so close. After WWII, World Market guns were serialized differently by FN than Browning imports. And though Nigel’s gun is surprising, I’d be more surprised to see a serial number on a post 1953 barrel in the US.
Appreciate the info. You guys have been lots of help here. This was the first double spring Browning that I had seen. Picked it up at a pawn shop for $350. The guy said it was a single shot automatic. It was set up to shoot 3 inch heavy loads and wouldn't cycle light loads. I kinda giggled all the way home with another Browning. Sent from my LG-H700 using Tapatalk
Does any of these numbers and markings add up to anything on my A5 Light? I know theres no serial number there.