Should serial numbers match?

Discussion in 'Browning Auto A-5' started by murphranch, Jun 25, 2020.

  1. murphranch

    murphranch .410

    Are the numbers on the barrel and the receiver supposed to match on an original A-5, or any gun?


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  2. Ranger6

    Ranger6 Administrator Staff Member Administrator Global Moderator Forum Moderator

    Yes, they should match.
  3. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    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.
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  4. Bill Idaho

    Bill Idaho .270 WIN

    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.
  5. Nigel Martin

    Nigel Martin .22LR

    Interestingly, my 1965 world market 12 gauge has matching serial numbers on receiver and barrel ring. It’s in the 65110nn range.


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  6. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    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!
  7. Nigel Martin

    Nigel Martin .22LR

    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?


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  8. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Sorry your trip was spoiled, Nigel. Maybe you can dump some tea in the ocean...
  9. murphranch

    murphranch .410

    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.

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  10. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    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?
  11. Nigel Martin

    Nigel Martin .22LR

    That wouldn’t be PC now, would it?


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  12. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Never in my life have I been accused of being PC.
  13. murphranch

    murphranch .410

    52 or 53 I can’t remember


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  14. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    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.
  15. Nigel Martin

    Nigel Martin .22LR

    Serial number on my receiver [​IMG]
    And matching number on barrel ring shoulder[​IMG]


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  16. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Thanks, Nigel. I believed you, but it’s good to see the pictures. Hopefully, Murphranch will post pictures of his.
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2020
  17. murphranch

    murphranch .410

    Here's what I got. SN#0V 28891 on the receiver and V28866 on barrel. [​IMG][​IMG]

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    [​IMG]
  18. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    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.
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  19. murphranch

    murphranch .410

    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.

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  20. antman73

    antman73 .410

    Does any of these numbers and markings add up to anything on my A5 Light? I know theres no serial number there. A5 barrel1.jpg A5 barrel2.jpg A5 barrel3.JPG

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