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Home | Customer Service | Date Your Firearm | Auto-5 Semi-Automatic Shotgun

Auto-5 Semi-Automatic Shotgun

The production of the Auto-5 began in 1902. Produced by F.N., John M. Browning ordered 10,000
of these shotguns in his first order. In 1999 Browning issued the "Final Tribute" version featuring
engraved scenes of John M. Browning, the F.N. Factory and the Browning Brothers first store. Only
1,000 of these were produced in a high-grade wood. Production of the famous "A-5" ceased after
this final tribute.
To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's
manuals online. You can go to those by clicking here.
Date

Historic Information

Serial Number Info

1903- First 10,000 shipped to U.S. Marked with

1939 "BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS CO.
OGDEN UTAH-U.S.A." Very few serial number
records remain.

Beginning with Serial Number 1 to

approximately 228,000. Exact production
figures are not available. Year of
manufacture on Pre-World War II
production is strictly a guess.

1940- From 1940 to 1946 production of the Auto-5

1946 was turned over to Remington. Serial number
is on the side of receiver. "ABC" for American
made Version. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge,
C=20 gauge)

1946+229,000-237,000

1947

237001-249000

1948

249001-270000

1949

270001-285000

1950

285001-315000

1951

315001-346000

1952

F.N. took over production of the Auto-5.

346001-387000

1953

387000-438000

1954- Serial Numbering System changed.

55
H=Standard Weight. L=Light Weight.

H1-H83000
L1-L83000

1956

Serial Number designation for the Light Weight H83001-H99000

changed to G.
G1-G23000

1957

Serial Numbering System changed again.

M=Standard Weight. G=Light Weight.

1958- From 1958 serial numbers were preceded by

67
the date of manufacture. 8M=standard weight
for 1958. 8G=light weight for 1958.
Example: 8M1000 = A 1958 Auto-5 standard
weight shotgun with serial number 1000

M22000-M85000
G23001-85000
G85001-G99000
8G1-8G2000
M=standard weight
G=light weight

1968- In 1969 Browning started using two digits for

M-standard weight
76
the date of manufacture which was followed by G=light weight
a four digit code that identified the type of
Auto-5:
M=standard weight
G=light weight
This was then followed by the serial number
beginning with 1000.
Example: 69G1000 = A 1969 Auto-5
Lightweight 12 ga.. shotgun with a serial
number of 1000.
1976- In 1976 Browning standardized its serial
1997 number identification which it followed until
1998.

Serial
Number Example:
01001RT151

1. Auto-5 Type

2. Date of
Manufacture
is a two digit code

151=Magnum 12
gauge
161=Magnum 20
gauge
211=Light 12 gauge
221=Sweet 16
231=Light 20 gauge
Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6

This would be an Auto-5 Magnum 12

ga.,manufactured in 1976 with the serial
number 01001.

R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
3. Serial Number
beginning with
01001
at the start of each
year.

1999

The Auto-5 will be discontinued for 2000. To

commemorate this historic event for the Auto5, Browning released the "Final Tribute"
version in 1999.
1. Serial
Number
beginning
with 1001
at the start
of each
year.

Serial
Number Example:
2000FT1001
This would be a Auto-5 "Final Tribute" 12
ga., manufactured in 1999 with the serial
number 1001.

2. Date of
2000 (distribution began in
Manufacture 1999)
is a two digit
code
3. Auto-5
Type

FT="Final Tribute" 12 ga.

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