Browing Semi-auto 12 ga shotgun

Question
Two questions: First, where can I find the "date" of manufacture and serial # on my shotgun. I have a Browning 12 ga Magnum. What I can find on the barrel is "made in Belgium"; "Special Steel 12 guage shells 3"; and "1kg 320 12-75 18" Are any of these the serial numbers and/or the date of mfg?
Second, can this gun shoot only 3" shells? Is it safe with this vented ribbed barrel to shoot steel shot?
I inherited this gun and would like to know more about it.

Answer
Hello Bill,

The serial number should be located somewhere on the guns receiver, You basically have a Browning Auto-5 that was made in belgium and with the Special Steel stamp it tells me that the gun was made in the 30's or 40's. Browning did put serial numbers on their weapons then, but those numbers you listed are not serial numbers, more like the weight of the steel used to make the barrel.

You could contact Browning themselves and ask them for help dating the weapon to an exact date.

www.browning.com


On your second question, a 3" chambered shotgun can fire anything of the same gauge up to 3 inches in length. It will fire 2 3/4" 12 gauge rounds with no problem, most people do fire 2 3/4" shells in order to reduce recoil. What you want to avoid for safety reasons is the firing of a shotgun shell longer then what the gun is chambered for, like putting a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chambered shotgun.

As for the steel shot, I personally have never seen it damage a barrel. If the barrel has a choke it could damage the choke over time, and to some extent shooting large amounts of steel shot (or lead shot for that matter) in a gun that is 80+ years old will eventually take it's toll. As always, you would need to have the gun checked by a qualified gunsmith before firing it, especially if you are not familiar with the background,care, or maintenance of the gun in question.


Best of luck, let me know if I can help any further.