shot gun worth?

fishlis 1 · 12-03-2002, 08:05 PM

can anyone tell what the value of a 1951 browning A5 is worth, or tell me who to go to. i aquired it from an old man that only shot it once he said he was to old to keep hunting. he bought the gun in 52 from a friend that had lost his left eye and the way the ejection is on the A5 his right eye would follow the shell and not the duck. so the gun has very little use and it shows. any pointers would help thanks FISHLIS

crabbait · 12-03-2002, 08:36 PM

Worth depends a lot on configuration and condition. What grade is the gun? Is it a 2 3/4" or 3"? What is the barrel length? Does it have a ventilated rib, solid rib or no rib? Does it have a variable choke installed? Factory or after market? What is its overall condition? Like new? A few scratches? Some bluing loss? Some pitting?

All of these things will affect the value of the gun. As for use, I would not use it with steel shot without replacing the barrel (not cheap). You could use it with Bismuth (not Hevi-shot or any tungsten blend).

Sight unseen and with no particulars, it is worth between $200 and $500.

Tilla · 12-03-2002, 08:43 PM

It is probably a Belgian made Browning, Humpback A5, it's a classic, one of the few. Lovely gun for those that it fits. Don't know what it is worth. Seems to me it should go for a$1000 for starters if it is fine shape. I have a '57 fitted with a modern barrel.

[ 12-03-2002, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: Tilla ]

crabbait · 12-04-2002, 12:07 AM

There are presently 10 Belgian Browning A5 shotguns for sale at www.gunbroker.com. Prices range from $245 to $550. Two are listed at $800 and $1000 respectively. The $1000 gun is a new Japanese gun in the harder to find 16ga.

In order for this gun to be worth more than i have stated it would have to be something rare or special. Still a great classic quality shotgun.

Wolfguts · 12-04-2002, 02:29 PM

I have collected Belgium Brownings for a number of years. Recently I have been selling off part of the collection. While you see some very high prices, very few if any will sell for that price. In the past month I have sold 3 A-5's. A 12 ga. 3" mag. in excellant condition went for $699. A 20ga. in excellant condition and with 2 barrels went for $750, and a Light 12 ga. in almost new condition went for $600. All were vent rib guns. Mags and 20's command a higher price than standard 12's.
All were sold using GunBroker. Belgium guns sell for more than the Japan guns. Yours made in 1951 is a Belgium gun. Also, guns with no vent rib go for less than those with.