It was based on the same frame size as the 12. The 16 gauge was added in 1909 for Europe, but it was not available in the United States until 1923. When he offered the Auto-5 to Winchester, this time he wanted a royalty based on sales but this was refused.īrowning decided to present the design to Remington and, so the story goes, was waiting in the lobby to see the company president Marcellus Hartley when Hartley died in his office of a heart attack.Īuto-Fives were originally offered only in 12 gauge. John Browning had previously sold his many gun designs to Winchester for a lump-sum payment. Most readers of this magazine probably know the history of the Browning A5, which has the distinction of being the first successful self-loading shotgun. It was patented in 1900 and went into production for the first time in 1902 by Fabrique Nationale in Liege, Belgium. In fact, he called it his best achievement. John Browning was very proud of the Auto 5 semi-automatic shotgun.

Browning's new A5 is only cosmetically similar to the Auto-Five.Remington made a licensed version, the Model 11.Originally manufactured by FN in Belgium.The ol' Browning A5 has the elevated distinction of being recognized as the first self-loading scattergun.

Browning Auto 5 20 Gauge Serial Numbers