16ga.com ~ View topic - Reasonable price for a english stocked Browning A5?

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Jeff,
PM sent w/pics and info. Thought I would post the pics here for people to see. Just a regular straight grip A5 (early one) that my Father in Law had engraved and certain parts gold plated, years ago. I think it was in the 60's.

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

More pics of A5.

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Yup, made in the first half of 1908.

This was the period after Browning gave exclusive rights to the patents to Remington for North America. so this gun was made for the non US markets and found it's way here at some point. Many of these guns were brought home by GI's. Did your dad serve in the armed forces overseas?

There appears to have been cut flat for a pad at some point and there is no buttplate on it.

Neat family gun,

Jeff

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Yes, my wife's father was in the Air Force and served in a B-17 wing for a while I believe.

I wish he hadn't cut the stock and barrel but he has long arms and I believe the wood that he added was to increase the LOP. Because he added a pad over the piece of wood, adding a total of almost 3".

I think I can get the stock situation back a bit by adding a spacer and a thicker recoil pad. At least that way it will be the orig straight stock.
But the barrel is another story. I either have to live with the Poly Choke and get a bead put on the front, or, buy another barrel. A lot of $$ for something I most likely won't shoot much, if at all.

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

What is the LOP to the end of the existing stock? Galazan has the period correct pad that is available in 1" or 1 1/2" thickness. The thick pad may be perfect.

The also carry the Hawkins etc. I like these a lot better than the Pachmayer pads, though Browning used Pachmayer....

http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/data/comersus/store/comersus_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=72

The polychoke, like the engraving are choices your dad made. I'd keep it on the gun.

If you keep an eye open you may get lucky and find a low cost barrel to add to the collection, giving you a choice. The last plain 12 ga barrel I bought cost me $110.

Jeff

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Jeff,
The LOP right now without the wood piece and pad is a mere 12.5". The piece of wood and pad that were on it added 2.25". Total overall LOP was 14.75".
A 1.5" pad would make it 14 without the added wood. I could live with the 14", especially since I won't be shooting it much.

As far as the barrel, I think I'll just get a bead added onto the Poly Choke. Like you said, I can always keep an eye out for an inexpensive barrel. If there is such a thing.

Tjc, whats your LOP? figured you'd be 14 5/8-14 3/4. Thats right where I'm at.

Tjc, whats your LOP? figured you'd be 14 5/8-14 3/4. Thats right where I'm at.

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Duh, one digit makes a world of difference.

The straight stock was so rare on later guns that I never questioned the date....and it did not occur to me that a vent rib barrel would not be appropriate on a 1908 gun. Embarassed

Thanks for the assist.

Jeff

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

No problem Jeff, I appreciate the info you gave as well as the help.

I think I'm going to have a pad added to get the LOP up to 14 or a bit more. May add a spacer to help the cause. I can live with that for the amount I won't shoot it. Wink