1953 Belgian Browning Auto 5 Buy?

[dak0ta]

1953, owner's uncle hunted with it a lot, but now he hasn't shot it for 20 years. Belgian 12 ga.

What can you guys tell me about it? He said he would let me offer, so what's a good offer (for me) for this gun?

Seller added more detail: Fixed full choke, bore is fine, some minor pitting on the exterior finish. The pistol grip still has checkering however the finish is coming off, not aware of any gouges or major cracks (there is one in the forearm as I recall but not major) however the finish is worn and chipping in various places, it is a 50 year old firearm and until I got it was stored in a soft case in the rafters

 

[Waywatcher]

$400 to $500 I would say.

 

[dak0ta]

Turns out there is a crack in the forearm.

Seller added more detail: Fixed full choke, bore is fine, some minor pitting on the exterior finish. The pistol grip still has checkering however the finish is coming off, not aware of any gouges or major cracks (there is one in the forearm as I recall but not major) however the finish is worn and chipping in various places, it is a 50 year old firearm and until I got it was stored in a soft case in the rafters

 

[scchokedaddy]

Would sell for somewhere between 500-750 all day long where I live. I assume thats a light 12 or 2 3/4 inch gun =, 3 inch will bring more. Gotta get used to "Browning shuffle", after they are recoil operated,hope that helps. By the way forearms sell for from 1-150 bucks according to where you find them. also light 12 and magnum forearms do not interchange,

 

[Gordon]

Has the later and better cross bolt safety BUT does not have the later 2 piece "speed feed" lifter which is very desireable. The tight full choke reduces its modern day usefullness but could be cut off and tubed and would be useful enough. Prolly needs the springs replaced which are inexpensive and available. That gun would languish locally for $400 and would sell pretty fast at $350 locally.

 

[jaguarxk120]

You can always add a second barrel with a mod choke. Parts can be had from Browning or Midwest Gun Works. Midwest has the factory service manual that can be downloaded.

 

[gotigers]

I have '51 Belgium A5. Mine is in a little better shape. Does yours have the original FN but plate? I agree with the $400-500. The cracked forarm is very common. It can be fixed with an insert and epoxy by a good smith.

It is a great gun. I used it a few times for local 3 gun. lol. It did great. It is a great dove gun. Otherwise it is a safe queen. Mine was my grandfather's. I dont want to screw it up.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Now that is a Browning. I love the old Belgian guns. The quality was great, they were tough to beat in my opinion. I agree in the condition $400-500 is a good value.

 

[desidog]

If you do buy it, i have a spare Belgian barrel around, that has a scratched 3-4 inches at the muzzle...it is a perfect candidate for a chop and threading for screw chokes. PM me if interested.

 

[rbernie]

That gun would languish locally for $400 and would sell pretty fast at $350 locally.

This.

Four bills or above would not sell quickly, if at all, in the DFW area. Heck, it's hard to sell a Light 12 from 1956 (SpeedFeed) with honest field wear and a fixed MOD barrel for much over $400 in my neck of the woods. DAMHIK.

The old queens don't have the draw that they used to, unless it's a well-heeled collector looking for a 20ga or Sweet Sixteen.

 

[dak0ta]

Is the checkering destroyed or is it just finish worn off? I can't tell.

 

[oneounceload]

but could be cut off and tubed

No need to cut it off, just have it threaded by Briley or similar

 

[Sauer Grapes]

That looks like a $350 gun to me. That's all I'd pay anyway. As 1 ounce said, they can be threaded for chokes. Looks like it was hunted pretty hard, but probably not many rounds down the pipe.
Why would anyone store a gun in a soft case and shove it in an attic. Disrespectful treatment of a Browning shotgun.

 

[PJR]

What do you intend to use the gun for? It's unsuitable for waterfowling because Browning doesn't recommend using steel in the Belgian-made guns. It's too heavy and too tightly choked for upland. The Auto 5 is an oddity on the clay target fields. So to do anything useful this gun will require some modifications and IMO that's throwing good money after bad.

It looks in rough shape which isn't surprising because it was stored in a case which is never a good idea. Cracked forearms are fairly common in Auto 5s and they only get worse with use. I'd offer $250 to a friend who was facing hard times and I was feeling charitable. For anyone else I'd let them find another buyer.

 

[Gordon]

Yeah prime candidate to pay $250 for and cut the barrel to 18 1/4" and the Stock to 11" plus a good pad !