The SHOT Show Gun—100th anniversary Browning Auto-5

Shooting Industry, Jan, 2004

This year's SHOT Show gun is an exquisite one-of-a-kind Belgian-made Browning Auto 5 that was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the popular shotgun. Browning donated the commemorative edition for the SHOT Show auction, with proceeds benefiting the Hunting & Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation (HSSHF).

"This 100th Anniversary Edition Auto-5 is a tribute to the genius of John Browning," says Denny Wilcox, Browning's firearms product manager. "Browning is proud to be part of the 2004 SHOT Show auction and hopes this historically significant firearm will provide additional horsepower to the Heritage Foundation's efforts, and that it finds a good home in the fortunate high-bidder's collection."

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The commemorative Auto 5 features custom hand engraving and 24-karat gold inlay. The right side of the gun features a sketch of John Browning standing in front of the Fabrique Nationale plant in Belgian, four high-relief gold-inlaid mallards, and a banner with the dates, "1902-2002," and the words, "A-5 Browning One Hundred Years."

The left side of the shotgun features the inscription, "Auto-5 A Legacy of Genius," inlaid in flush gold, four high-relief gold-inlaid Canada geese and a banner that reads, "Century Commemorative."

The gun's fancy walnut stock is hand carved and checkered. The gun comes with a leather takedown case.

The Centennial Auto 5 will be auctioned at www.hsshf.org/auction, with bidding opening on Jan. 15, 2004. In order to bid online, participants must register at www.gunbroker.com, which is hosting the auction.

Those attending the SHOT Show may place their bid in person during show hours at the NSSF office in the Las Vegas Convention Center. All bidding will end at the conclusion of the SHOT Show.