This Browning Auto-5 is a Japanese-made Ducks Unlimited commemorative in 12 gauge, serial 87DU001xx. Its engraved silver-grey receiver is marked "Ducks Unlimited" and "Fiftieth Year" with the DU 50th globe medallion, flying and landing ducks, scrollwork and the engraver's signature "M. Nozaki", and the carrier bears a gold-colored duck head. The 28-inch vent-rib barrel is marked for 2 3/4-inch shells and carries the Browning Arms Company, Morgan, Utah and Montreal markings. It has a gold-colored trigger and is fitted with a black synthetic stock and forend. The receiver shows light scratches, and the barrel has scuffs near the muzzle but has a mirror bright bore with no visible deformation.
The Auto-5 was designed by John Browning in 1898, patented in 1900, and is credited as the first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun. Fabrique Nationale of Belgium built it from 1902, and Browning licensed the design to Remington, which made some 850,000 as its Model 11 between 1905 and 1947. After World War II, production of Browning models returned to FN in 1952. The majority of production moved to Miroku in Japan in 1975, and manufacture ended in 1998 apart from a few commemorative guns finished at FN the following year. Ducks Unlimited was incorporated in 1937, which places this Fiftieth Year commemorative in 1987, consistent with the 87 prefix of its serial.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Browning Arms Company (made in Japan)
Country of origin: Japan
Year: 1987
Model: Auto-5 Ducks Unlimited Fiftieth Year commemorative
Action: Semi-automatic
Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 3/4-inch chamber
Barrel length: 28 inches
Serial: 87DU001xx
Stock: Black synthetic stock and forend
Finish: Engraved silver-grey receiver; blued barrel
Rib: Ventilated rib with front bead
Features: DU 50th medallion, duck and scroll engraving signed M. Nozaki, gold-colored duck head on carrier, gold-colored trigger
