Question about Browning A 5 Serial Number

mwrok

After looking for months, I purchased a Browning A 5 20 Gage shotgun unfired in a box! (It was represented as a Belgium produced Browning.) I am puzzled by the serial number as it does not seem to match up with anything on Browning's website. The serial number is 76Z85721. This came with the original box, barrel, and butt plate labeled Belgium FN. The serial numbers on the gun match the box and everything looks to be in order and original. This is a light 20 and is stamped Light Twenty on the receiver. Browning's web site designates an "M" for standard weight and a "G" for light weight. What am I missing? What does the "Z" indicate? Also, it appears the serial numbers system were two different systems 1976. Can anyone out there advise me what I actually have?

Thanks.

Mark

Bert H.

Hello Mark,

I agree that the serial number on your Light Twenty is a bit odd, but from your information, I would say that is it a 1976 production gun. The "M" and "G" were codes used for the 12 gauge guns. A "Z" was used to identify the 20 gauge "Light", and an "X" for the Magnum 20 gauge.

This is what the serial number looks like on my 1962 vintage Light Twenty...

mwrok

Bert,
Thank you so much for responding. In your opinion, is this a Belgium gun? What was the last year of production for a Belgium gun?
Mark



quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
Hello Mark,

I agree that the serial number on your Light Twenty is a bit odd, but from your information, I would say that is it a 1976 production gun. The "M" and "G" were codes used for the 12 gauge guns. A "Z" was used to identify the 20 gauge "Light", and an "X" for the Magnum 20 gauge.

This is what the serial number looks like on my 1962 vintage Light Twenty...

Bert H.

Hello Mark,

You are quite welcome.

Production of the A-5 moved in the early part of 1976 from FN in Belgium, to Miroku in Japan. The Miroku guns used a totally different serial number coding. Your A-5 is undoubtedly one of the very last Belgian (FN) made 20 gauge guns.

timbroman

You have a fine Belgian 20 ga A-5 - I am not surprised by the "Z" in the s/n as I thought it should be there for any of the Belgian 2-3/4" 20 ga A-5's of the period (c 1956-1975) What does surprise me is the engraved "Light Twenty" on your receiver - I would have thought the 1962 A-5 would have "Twenty" on the receiver - it was my thinking that the wording "Light Twenty" didn't appear until 1972 or so. But as many others here have frequently noted Browning/FN often have mysterious markings - the 12 ga "Liege" is a similar puzzler.

slumlord44

Just checked my Light Twenty that my dad bought in 1959. Has 9Z serial number. Says Twenty on the reciever, not Light Twenty. Serial # checks out to 1959 manufacture. Not sure when they went to Light Twenty.

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by timbroman
You have a fine Belgian 20 ga A-5 - I am not surprised by the "Z" in the s/n as I thought it should be there for any of the Belgian 2-3/4" 20 ga A-5's of the period (c 1956-1975) What does surprise me is the engraved "Light Twenty" on your receiver - I would have thought the 1962 A-5 would have "Twenty" on the receiver - it was my thinking that the wording "Light Twenty" didn't appear until 1972 or so. But as many others here have frequently noted Browning/FN often have mysterious markings - the 12 ga "Liege" is a similar puzzler.


My 1962 vintage Light Twenty is marked just "Twenty" on the left side of the receiver. I only posted the picture so that Mark could see the "Z".