*SOLD* 1964 Browning Auto-5 12 Ga Blue 27 1/2" *INCREDIBLE LIGHT TWELVE MODEL*
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Browning Auto-5—commonly referred to as the A-5—is a landmark in firearms history and widely recognized as the world’s first truly successful semi-automatic shotgun. Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning and introduced in 1905, the Auto-5 revolutionized shotgun technology and set a performance standard that would endure for nearly a century. Produced continuously until 1998, its innovative long-recoil operating system and unique design earned it a reputation for rugged reliability and functional elegance. One of its most distinctive features was the iconic “humpback” receiver—a raised rear contour that gave the A-5 its unmistakable silhouette. This design was not merely aesthetic; it extended the sighting plane, making target acquisition more intuitive and improving shooting accuracy.
The Auto-5 was primarily manufactured in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale (FN) and later by Miroku in Japan, with both factories upholding Browning’s high standards of craftsmanship. These shotguns were often adorned with finely blued steel and richly checkered walnut stocks, making them both highly functional and visually striking. Throughout its long production life, the Auto-5 was offered in a wide range of gauges and configurations to meet the needs of hunters, sport shooters, and military users alike. Among the most iconic variants were the Light Twelve, Sweet Sixteen, Light Twenty, and Magnum Twelve. The Light Twelve, in particular, was designed as a more agile alternative to the heavier Standard Weight model. Browning engineers achieved this weight reduction through several key modifications: three holes were drilled into the barrel ring, a narrower rib was used on vent rib barrels, the receiver was further milled to shed excess material, and the buttstock featured slimmer, lighter wood. These enhancements made the Light Twelve especially prized among waterfowl hunters and upland game shooters who required a lighter gun for long days in the field. Coupled with the Auto-5’s robust steel receiver and long-recoil mechanism, the Light Twelve maintained the same reliability and performance that defined the entire Auto-5 line.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Browning Arms Company
Model: Auto-5 “Light Twelve”
Serial: 4G35965
Date of Manufacture: 1964
Caliber: 12 Gauge / 2 3/4" Chamber
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 27 1/2" Barrel with Ventilated Rib and Fixed Improved Modified Choke
Optics/Sights: Silver Bead Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Round Knob Walnut Buttstock with Checkered Walnut Forearm
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / Both sides of the receiver are engraved with scroll artwork. The left side of the receiver is engraved “Light Twelve”.
Aug 12th 2025
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