Browning 12 gauge shotgun

Question
QUESTION: I inherited a 1964 Browning 12 gauge automatic shotgun from my father. It is in perfect like new condition. Not even a scratch anywhere. I have no intentions of selling it, but I was wondering what a gun like this is worth?

ANSWER: Hi Rick,

Its always great to hear from someone who inherits a firearm from a loved one and actually wants to KEEP it !! ...... I get a lot of just the opposite (?).

Back to your question..... Your Browning is no doubt a Browning Auto 5 (?) that was manufactured in Belgium by FN. These are generally worth considerably more than the later version which were made in Japan.

The Mid-Production Auto 5 was FN made and produced between 1952 and 1976. They were available in 12 or 16 gauge with 26" through 32" with various chokes. Great Gun !

The gun in "Very Good" to "Excellent" condition has approximate retail values as per the following:

Plain Barrel..... $500 to $600

Matte Rib........ $ $500 to $700

Vent Rib......... $ $600 to $800

You can add 25 percent if it has a round knob pistol grip and 35 percent if it has a straight grip stock.

As I'm sure you know, the above variations are mostly based upon condition and version.

Thanks for the question Rick.

Sid Lark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sid,
I have a follow up question. I love to bird hunt pheasant, duck, goose etc. Is it ok for me to use this gun, or is it to valuable and should I just keep it in the case and not use it?

Answer
This is a excellent follow up question Rick and I'm glad that you ask it.

I would certainly encourage you to go ahead and shoot the gun. That is after all how you will get the most enjoyment out of it and obviously its already been fired many times since 1964. Just take good care of it in the process.

There is one exception to this however, for waterfowl you must use a lead substitute many of which are too hard for the original barrel/choke combinations. I've seen very nice Belgium FN original barrels with a bulge/ring near the muzzle end of the barrel due to being fired using steel, iron, etc. loads. So, I would recommend that you avoid these and similar loads in your Browning.

There are however some shells/shot that you can use without worry of the above such as Bismuth or Tungsten Matrix made by Kent. These are similar to lead and safe for "nitro-proofed" barrels.

I hope this helps you decide, good luck.

Sid Lark