Hello all, I have never owned an A5 before and need some information. I can easily date this to 1909 with the serial number. But need help decoding this barrel. I have attached some pictures of the proofs and numbers. Is this barrel safe to shoot? I would not shoot any steel in it, and it looks to be in great shape other then finish loss. As is often said on here. any help would be appreciated ! Also, is that barrel from 1970? a1parrothead
Why would it not be safe to shoot? The 12-70 in the oval is 12 ga 2 3/4. I can't make out the rest. The barrel code should be above the PV. Are you sure about 1909?
Ranger6, Well, its a five digit serial number, Starting with 325... I found this video on YouTube with this chart and according to it its 1909. But......then I found this other chart which says 1924! I don't know!!! know!!!
So what do I believe? Mine is a 12 gauge. Maybe the second table is only for 16 gauge? I have no clue!
I have posted a thread on serial numbers straight from the NRA website which is the best place to date an auto 5. If yours is 5 digit starting with 325.. then 1909 it is. That old the barrel should also have the same number if orginal.
If you want good info we need good pictures of the gun, the serial number should match in several places.
There is the number B27185 stamped on the barrel as you can see above. What is that number? I can find no other serial type number. Any ideas on where it would be stamped on the barrel?
That doesn’t seem to be original barrel. All those other numbers are choke measurements, weight and more proof marks. If you want to figure those out start here: https://www.hunting.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Belgian-Proof-Marks.pdf
Remember some of those marks may be inspectors numbers. The serial number should be on the stock also, but will have to remove to see it. The serial number may be 3 digits ( last 3 of the whole serial number) on some things.
The barrel appears to have an m as a date code, making it 1934. The 12-70 mark ruled out 1924 and earlier, as the chamber markings were different then.