Fingolfin
Member
Recently picked up an Auto-5 that was advertised as a Belgian gun with a Japanese barrel. I'd like to know if that is true and if so, were some made like that with mixed manufactured parts.
The receiver is marked as such:
15941
RP211FN
Which from my snooping determines it's a Light 12 made in 1978. But does the "FN" suffix mean it was made in Belgium? I know most of them were made in Japan starting in the '70's. The 30" VR barrel has a fixed full choked and is marked Made In Japan. There is also a number on the barrel, i'd have to take the forearm back off but it didn't match the receiver number. The receiver has no engraving or markings on it anywhere other than the serial number and model/date code given above.
If anybody who knows about these shotguns could give some incite as to it's origin i'd appreciate it. I picked it up for $300 plus shipping and transfer, which I thought was a reasonable price.
Here is a link to a pic:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u170/bswygert/auto5.jpg
The receiver is marked as such:
15941
RP211FN
Which from my snooping determines it's a Light 12 made in 1978. But does the "FN" suffix mean it was made in Belgium? I know most of them were made in Japan starting in the '70's. The 30" VR barrel has a fixed full choked and is marked Made In Japan. There is also a number on the barrel, i'd have to take the forearm back off but it didn't match the receiver number. The receiver has no engraving or markings on it anywhere other than the serial number and model/date code given above.
If anybody who knows about these shotguns could give some incite as to it's origin i'd appreciate it. I picked it up for $300 plus shipping and transfer, which I thought was a reasonable price.
Here is a link to a pic:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u170/bswygert/auto5.jpg