16ga.com ~ View topic - a-5 q's for Jeff

MAybe this should be a PM but I hope others can use the info

Jeff - I'm looking to put new wood on Dad's light twelve - the forend has been repaired a couiple times and last year the curved wood inlays on the inside of the forend started delaminating. I think it's done.

I've posted a couple times on SW dot com asking about aftermarket wood - brownells, cabelas, bell & carlton, etc. with little response.

some comments from a recent post have me thinking it's time for a "factory refresh" - does Browning even work on old stuff anymore? It's not a "collector" gun unless you want a "10% blue and finish" look with 100% reliability...

It will never be for sale anyway - when he goes, it comes to me - I'm in no rush and would pay a small fortune to get it redone and let him use the fancy non-tox shells so he can droop birds in the next county with a 30" full bbl.

I was thinking new wood (matching if possible) and a re-blue with the internals cleaned, it would be a "new" '65 again.

so aside from the few Q's above:

where would you source some nicer wood?

would you re-blue? If so can you reccomend someone?

any other davise is appreciated - Oh and for all the "not Jeff"'s here - please add advice as you see fit.

thank you

These folks specialize in Superposed repair, not sure about A-5s:
Address: 6008 HWY Y HILLSBORO, MO 63050 USA
Voice: 1-636-944-3630 Fax: 1-636-452-3631
Contact: ART ISAACSON

Parker Gun Shop bought up most if not all the factory Auto-5 wood from Browning when the Auto-5 was D/C'd.

They are in Louisiana. Two phone #'s: 985-632-3022, 985-632-3794

Give them a try.

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Hey, it's only 40 years old, what's the rush?

A good cleaning and a new forend are appropriate, anything else is probably unnecessary, dont do it unless it makes you happy.

I have never seen any aftermarket wood that looked good. There is a lot of stuff from Sile around, but even my fireplace has better taste in wood than they do. The synthetic stocks work fine but have zero appeal to me though John Browning would have probably loved them. He was a very practical man. I guess I'm not.

I usually recommend Midwest Gunworks for Browning work. They got most of the Browning parts inventory and have lots of experience with A5's.

There is also Art's gunshop which has a good reputation, and I think are particularly experienced with superposeds. I bought a nice set of factory wood from Art a few years ago.

As discussed in another post I dont think rebluing is all that great, but nice wood is another story. If you do want the finish to be true to the year have it salt blued. Browning changed from rust to salt in late '63. Here are some bluing and wood refinish prices.

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/y-001

Hope this is of some use,

Jeff

thanks much Jeff - it's obvious that you have a little experience & info on the a-5.

as far as the blue goes - I think you're right - I'll leave it alone

it needs a new forend and I was hoping the wood would match somehow. The thing is the patina - all the years on the salt marsh, the ducks killed, the boat paddle story, etc. have all left their mark, pardon the pun, on the wood and I'd hate to loose that - it's like erasing a history I know is there.

Anyway, thanks again Guys - it's all appreciated

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Sprocket,

Save the old wood, put a note under the butt plate with the background on the gun so it's always there for future generations. Once a year you should put the old wood back on and do a memorial hunt.

Sounds mushy I know but...
Jeff

Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 35

I happened to read this link and remembered I have a new in the box original browning forearm for a 12 gauge auto 5. Any idea on the value?

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

NIB forend on eBay may go for $50 to >$100. The price is driven on how many bidders really think the color is just like their stock.

Make sure your picture gives really good (accurate) color and then say as much in the description.

Jeff