My father only owned two shotguns in his entire life.. One is a mint Browning A5 Light that dad picked up new in 1961 as pictured. He coddled this shotgun, never taking it out of a gun case until the deeks were out and ready to shoot. Rescued it from the old mans gun locker a few days ago as it has been entombed there decades. Probably has not seen daylight in 20 years. Shot some crows with it yesterday. What a marvellous piece of equipment !
Appears to be a long tang, round knob Belgium A5. Correct? Only item missing is a vent. rib!!! This was MY first shotgun! Got it at age 15 for my birthday and retail cost was $135! I shot it for decades but the softer recoil of gas guns found me trading it in and I never looked back. Mine did not have the sentimental value yours does and I suspect your son will have this gun one day!
Gorgeous photo and wonderful story! I always dreamed of such an A5 growing up in Indiana. They were about $325 at our local Sears in the late 60's and no round knob by then. Alas I was relegated to used Remington Model 11's!
Your Dad's gun story is great! It's incredible how guns and their history are imbedded in some families and the stories and guns are passed down to the next generation of hunters to be used and enjoyed. It's funny to me that my Dad did not have a gun that was not a tool to use and yet I have several that have not been used and some that are still in the box unfired, but don't worry I have a son and grandson like my Dad and someday when they have them they will be used and enjoyed. One of the things I enjoy in the hunting sport is when someone pulls out a gun and shares the history of it on a hunt ( especially if it's his Dads ). My Dad passed in 1989 at 63 yrs and I was fortunate he was a hunter and now the guns I have of his are treasures, not only his but some great friends have left me some fine guns that have died and one that is still here has, all have great stories with them to.
Not trying to take your post but my Dads best friend left me 2, a real Army Colt 1911 with all assessories, he gave it to my Dad in a Christmas card box for him to hand down to me to give my son when it was time, well my son ask for several years for it as it was still in the same box unfired by me. Finally it was time and I gave it to him in that Christmas card box, he went straight to the range and put 200 plus rounds thru it and had a blast. Now it's in his safe in that same box it's been in for almost 30 yrs, he shoots it a few times a year and always talks of Jim afterwards. I just listen and smile and I know my Dad and Jim would know it went to the right person to be enjoyed and eventually passed down again. And the other is a mint Remington Mod. 121 .22cal. I still have that I get to enjoy busting squirrels and shooting. Sorry for rambling but your post brought back some great memories.
Thank you for the commentary gentlemen. I tend to be rather sentimental with my firearms. Those that I have sold I have regretted. My dad had told me he payed 121 dollars Canadian for the Browning in 1961. Long tang refers to the operating handle?
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
I should have said "trigger tang"... if the gun has the long tang.. it runs from the rear of the trigger guard all the way down the inside of the pistol grip. Those guns.. with the round knob, were the most valuable of the Belgium Brownings.
Yes it does Skip, and thank you for the clarification. I'm presently looking for an extra barrel modified to IC choke. Perhaps 26 or 28 inch as I find the full not applicable to 90 percent of my shooting needs. Full on this Belgian A5 is tighter than a bulls ass in fly season...
Ted
__________________
Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
Modified chokes.. were in barrels that are 28" long. I do not think they came any other way. IC was 26" and I am know Full was 30" because I have one. I had both an IC and Mod barrels.. but used the IC 90% of the time mainly on crows. My trips to Saskatchewan for upland birds, I used the Mod... ideal in those conditions. I agree, full is waaaay too much choke!
