Browning Auto-5 Standard Weight Grade I 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Shotgun | Pre-WWII Belgian FN Production, Factory Scroll Engraved
This Browning Auto-5 Standard Weight Grade I is a Belgian-made, pre-WWII example of John M. Browning’s groundbreaking long-recoil design. Produced by Fabrique Nationale circa 1938–39, its serial number falls within the final three percent of documented pre-war Auto-5 production, adding genuine scarcity for collectors. Factory machine-cut scroll engraving, a 29-inch Special Steel barrel with solid matted rib and full choke, and the original FN hard-rubber buttplate round out a shotgun that blends historical importance with classic field features.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Scratches and blemishes are present on the blued surfaces, and light edge wear is visible on high-contact areas. All markings, proofs, and engraving remain clear and sharp.
What’s Included
- Browning Auto-5 Standard Weight Grade I 12 Gauge shotgun (with original FN hard-rubber buttplate)
John M. Browning introduced the Auto-5 in 1903 as the world’s first commercially successful semi-automatic shotgun. This specimen embodies that legacy with its long-recoil action, a smooth cycling system that holds 2+1 rounds of 2 ¾-inch 12 gauge.
Made in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms Company, it carries Belgian nitro proofs and an “FN” cartouche on the receiver. The serial number sequence—beginning at 1 and extending to roughly 228,000 before World War II—places this gun near the very end of pre-war production, enhancing its collectability.
The Grade I Standard Weight variant features a blued steel receiver adorned with factory machine-cut scrollwork and paired with a 29-inch Special Steel barrel. The barrel’s solid matted rib and full choke deliver a well-balanced sighting plane and tight shot pattern.
Checkered walnut furniture complements the classic lines. The semi-pistol-grip stock offers a 13.5-inch length of pull, while the grooved, checkered forend provides a firm grasp during rapid follow-up shots. A single steel front bead completes the sight system.