arkielad
Member
I've looked through thread everywhere, as well as the browning site, to try to decode my serial numbers. They don't fit any of the time frames. About the gun: Browning FN Automatic on the black buttplate. Numbers immediately in from of loading port, stamped in the steel: 5M (next line) 1889 (I'm unsure about the first 8, it's hard to read. The only other place there is a serial number is on the underside of the barrel K 75557. W 183 is also stamped on the barrell. On the upper part of the barrel it says, "Browning Arms Company, St. Louis MO & Montreal (2 more letters after Montreal that I can't read. "Made in Belgium" stamped just above forestock. On the right side of the barrel are two small arrows followed by "Special Steel 12 Guage Shells 2 3/4. There are other various little stamps and figures on barrel left hand, just above forestock. On the side of the gun it only says "Browning" I have taken the barrel out, and there are no other serial numbers on the gun, not in the receiver, not on any of the screws, etc. I've been baffled by identifying date of this gun. It just doesn't fit any of the literature I've found. It has the rounded grip on the buttstock. Sorry to repeat a question that is oft asked on here, but I'm at a dead end. It holds 4 shells in the magazine. Thanks for any help. Go Hawgs!
