Question(Please note, after receiving your response of "I have already answered this question for you once before.", I attempted to send the reply listed below via an email to
[email protected] but have not received any reply.)
Hello Jim,
I am a little confused by your reply/answer. This is the first time I have ever visited this website and the first time I have ever searched for assistance from you or any other expert in regards to evaluating a shotgun抯 value.
Have you answered a question identical to my original in the past? If so, please shoot me over the link and I will use it. To the best of my ability, I have searched your forum and was unable to find any reference to a Browning light 12 a-5 with a serial 4g. The only one close that I could find is (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guns-Firearms-Projectile-1501/5-Browning.htm).
Is it possible that you answered a similar question for someone else and have simply assumed I was the same person? I do not wish to be pushy or become your next 揜odney?(http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guns-Firearms-Projectile-1501/mistake.htm), I just want some assistance/advice if you are willing to give it.
I know volunteering your expertise can be trying sometimes, as I offer my expertise online as well. Search Google.com for "Tim Fenner" and "TechTarget" and you will see as much. The 揜odneys?of the world can make life very irritating. I hope you are not getting discouraged from volunteering your time/expertise to the masses. (mainly because I still need help!) If you have a PC-related question, I am willing to trade expertise!
Again, I am just searching for the date and a general idea as to this gun抯 potential value. When I found this forum I was hoping you could give me a little direction, but if you do not wish to give me assistance, I understand and will not bother you in the future.
Thank you.
Tim
Side note: I do not wish to sound high-and-mighty/preachy (cause I know how much I hate that when I receive unsolicated advice) but I would like to offer you a small piece of advice that I found useful when volunteering online. Whenever I have a "rodney" accusing me of failing to provide assistance, I normally just respond with 揌ere is a link to the original answer I provided?and then paste a link to that answer within the reply, rather than berate them publicly. Not only does it get the answer across, but it has the added effect of proving that you are a professional/expert and that you will not drop to the level of morons when they start their ignorant and poorly expressed tirades.
AnswerTim,
Your shotgun was made in 1964 as evident by the 4 prior to the G. For example, 1961 = 1G, 1962 = 2G, 1963 = 3G etc. Up until 1968, Browning had a single number prefix. In 1968, the numbers changed to 68G, 69G, 70G, 71G etc. The G simply tells us that you have a Light 12, aside from the fact it is written on the left side of the receiver. An M would signify a Standard 12 gauge a V would be the Mag 12.
As far as a value it mainly depends on condition. Sometimes what I might call a shotgun as 95% someone else may see it as 99+% condition.
The value also depends on the choke configuration... If it has a recoil pad added.... Does it have a factory vent rib? Browning coded their chokes as follows; * ='s Full, *- ='s Improved Modified, ** ='s Modified, **- ='s Improved Modified, **$ ='s Skeet, *** ='s Cylinder. You can find the choke configuration along side the barrel above the forend.
Your shotgun should have a black butt plate, not a recoil pad. If it has a pad, it would have been added later and it decreases the value in the eyes of a collector. The 1964 should have a round pistol grip rather than the flat pistol grip which came later in 1967. If your shotgun has the vent rib it will help increase the value.
Assuming your shotgun has a butt plate, vent rib and is in true 98+ to 100% condition, you could expect it to bring $900 - $1250. You might find some asking prices on the internet as high as $1800 for a Lt 12 in 100% condition, but I doubt very many sell at that price, but it never hurts to ask. The 12's normally don't bring as much as the Lt. 20, Sweet 16 or even the Mag 20's.
An excellent reference is the Browning Auto-5 shotgun book by H.M. Shirley and Anthony Vanderlinden. It goes into great detail of all of the Auto 5's and is very interesting read. The Blue Book of Gun Values is a starting point of value for further reference. Hope this helps.
As far as the "Rodneys" of the world.... A gentleman once told me "Never argue with a fool. He will only drag you down to his level and beat you with his experience in stupidity." I should have remembered those words before engaging in debate with "rodney".
