Auto 5 Serial # Help

[Yippykyae]

I have a Browning Auto 5 Light 12. serial # L4199
The # does not fall within the published numbers for a 1954/55 production run.
I am trying to figure out why it has a 4 digit #instead of the published 5 digit #. The barrel and the receiver have the same # stamped on them.... Thanks!

1952
F.N. A-5 Production resumes
1952
346001-387000
1953
387001-438000

1954
H = Standard Wgt.
L = Lightweight
1954 & 55
H39000-H83000
L42000-L83000

1956
M = Standard Wgt.
G = Lightweight

[jwsmith1959]

From the Browning website. L1 -L83000 were made in 54/55.

https://www.browning.com/support/dat...c-shotgun.html

[Yippykyae]

Thanks, I found those numbers from proofhouse.com. They are either wrong or I mis-read them.

[OU12/20]

Originally Posted by Yippykyae Thanks, I found those numbers from proofhouse.com. They are either wrong or I mis-read them.

Where are the numbers stamped exactly ?

[Yippykyae]

One is on the bottom of the receiver and the other is on part of the barrel. Which you can only see if you take the barrel off. If I remember correctly it is on the ringed part of the barrel. (I don’t know the proper name for that part of the barrel).

[OU12/20]

Originally Posted by Yippykyae One is on the bottom of the receiver and the other is on part of the barrel. Which you can only see if you take the barrel off. If I remember correctly it is on the ringed part of the barrel. (I don’t know the proper name for that part of the barrel).

You should have a Letter followed by #5 numbers , earlier models had NO letter and #6 serial numbers .

In 1953 serial #'s 387000-438000 but those are #6 digit , in 1954 ALL L & H models started with either L83000 or H83000

The American Browning will have the serial number on the left side of the receiver and the FN produced A5 will have it on the bottom of the receiver.

This is also factual info :

During the WWII German occupation of the Browning factory in Belgium, Remington agreed to make their similar Model 11 with Browning markings and a few minor changes.

They are referred to as "American Brownings", and all had letter SN prefixes.

The WWII production (1940-47 only) resulted in some 63,000 A-5's in 12, 16 & 20 gauges.

SN Prefix letters & production totals:

12ga = "B" (38,000+)
16ga = "A" (14,000+)
20ga = "C" (11,000+)

FYI : I've personally seen a couple of FN Browning receivers with Remington barrels kind of bastruds !.