1903 Browning Trap Gun

[Fowlgunner]

Well I couldn't contain my excitement.

I just received what I consider the best first year Browning A5 in existence, a Trap Gun that matches the earliest Ads and Catalogues in checkering pattern and front sight treatment.

Will

[bbman3]

Very nice! Bobby

[Don Ay]

thats sweet!

[Sporrns]

thats sweet!

Your have a real gem here - doubtless a progenitor of the unbelievably rare A-5 "Special for Pigeons" Even the guy that wrote the definitive books on the A-5, Anthony VanDerLinden, had never seen one - when he went to the FN Museum in Herstal, the gun was on loan for a technological innovation fair exhibit in Holland, so he wound up with only a picture from the FN archives as reference. When I discussed this with him, I was at the zenith of my A-5 addiction cycle, so after we talked I decided to have one built. Basic platform for the gun was the Grade II Trap Gun in vent or solid rib 28, 30, or 32-inch barrel, straight or pistol grip, with special choke bored for pigeons and so marked in French (Por Tiro Al Pinchon) on the right side of the barrel just forward of the chamber. Mine was a minty Grade II 30-inch Solid Rib Full choke, which I had Geoffroy Gournet engrave and inlay the funky "FN" logo on the back of the receiver hump, and add the barrel legend in French. When I showed it to Anthony, he simply gushed - 'C'est Magnifique!!' Attached are some images for your viewing pleasure. Thanks, Kevin

[Fowlgunner]

Thanks Kevin,

I believe the early Grade II's are the most elegant of the engraved A5s.

I remember discussing your project and seeing it again reminds me how nice it turned out.

Will

[kgb]

I was at the zenith of my A-5 addiction cycle, so after we talked I decided to have one built. Basic platform for the gun was the Grade II Trap Gun in vent or solid rib 28, 30, or 32-inch barrel, straight or pistol grip, with special choke bored for pigeons and so marked in French (Por Tiro Al Pinchon) on the right side of the barrel just forward of the chamber. Mine was a minty Grade II 30-inch Solid Rib Full choke, which I had Geoffroy Gournet engrave and inlay the funky "FN" logo on the back of the receiver hump, and add the barrel legend in French.

The picture shows "pigeons" vs Pinchon. Was it altered, or is it a different gun, or ??

[Sporrns]

The barrel legend is correct as photographed; my quote in the description is a colloquial phonetic pronunciation of the phrase - it is indeed the same gun.

[bbman3]

Kevin I like it! Bobby

[Sporrns]

Thanks Bobby - I'm on the trail of a 32" solid rib pre-WW II A-5 (unfortunately not a Grade II) in very nice condition. If I get it, I'm seriously thinking of having another one " commissioned". Kevin