1905 auto 5

Picked up a 1905 auto 5 in a group buy of older auto 5s. This was among them. Has some cosmetic issues, haven’t delved into the mechanics yet. Never messed with one this old so looking for input. It’s been refinished and wrong forearm added and reblued at some point.
195XX serial number

Metal is a little proud to the wood, looks like they were a little too aggressive on the refinish job.

I found very few differences when I took apart my first year gun. It’s documented here:

http://www.browningowners.com/forum/index.php?threads/first-year-auto-5.2736/

I’d be interested to know if your third year gun is like mine.

That’s an excellent write up. Thanks. I’ll post some pictures as I get into it.

I’m missing the bronze friction ring

What does the barrel extension look like? I’m wondering about the notch.

I’m wondering about these small screws. Seem to be protruding too much. The heads look to big to me. I picked up a 1927 in this same deal and they much deeper.

Thanks for the pictures.

Those screws are backing out. Use a jeweler’s screwdriver to tighten them.

This shotgun is marked 65mm which surprised me as I did not know they made 12 gauge’s in anything other than 70mm but I guess they did for the world market.

Also this choke construction seems to be a bit less than full, maybe light full?

I don’t like the fit of the forearm. It has too much movement and Doesn’t seem to be letting the barrel extension go all the way forward. Also covers up the acier steel barrel markings when on. The forearm is from 1946 based on the serial number. I tried my dads Japanese forearm from the 80s and it worked well except I still think I see too much of the barrel extension. I forgot to take a picture with it on.

Converting a 16 gauge, 65mm gun is a PITA because the shells will feed but not eject. But because the 12 gauge gun was designed for 70mm shells from the beginning, you have no such problem.

The question is, do you think that extra 5mm of crimp will become a barrel obstruction? I kind of doubt it. But you can load short shells if you’re concerned. One thing I wouldn’t do is lengthen the chamber, though someone may well have done that already.

I agree about the choke, though I can’t find a chart. .8mm is about .031”.

This is bothering me some. Seems like too much of the barrel extension showing. Caused by a bad fitting forearm? Haven’t ever seen one stick out this far.

If it is, it’s not visible in that picture.

Correct, in the chamber the barrel extension is prtotruding more than I’m used to seeing. It’s like the forearm is pushing the barrel down too far? I’m comparing it to my mid 60s a5s. I’ll snap take a picture with the bolt closed when I get home later.

Ya the barrel matches the receiver, forearm is from the late 40s. I just hadn’t seen one with that much extension showing but this is the oldest a5 I’ve been around.