Browning 12 Gauge Restoration || A True Heirloom
This has been a very special project for me.
Here's the background. Pictured above is a Belgian-made Browning A-5 12 gauge shotgun, auto-5 light twelve with 29 1/2" full choke barrel. This was my Dad's shotgun and I believed it was purchased sometime in the mid-1960s. My Dad started bird hunting which this shotgun was made for. But he did do some deer hunting with it. My Dad passed away before he could pass the American Tradition of hunting to me.
Sometime in my late high school years (I believe I was 17) I found five shotgun shells in the garage and took the gun out to shoot. I shot those five shells and cleaned the gun and put it back in the case. That was 27 years ago. If you asked me why I never used it since then I could not give you an answer.
This past spring break we were at the Homestead and they have a gun club and I found out that you could use your own shotgun on the range. That is when I got the idea that if I came back to the Resort I would like to shoot my Dad's Browning.
I was hit with disappointment when I went to see the gun at my mom's and that it had rust on the gun from stored in the case. I was on a quest at that point to get the gun restored if I could.
I found out that a fellow co-worker was a gunsmith and I asked if he could do the job for me. I have know B. Pritchard for many years but I have never seen his work. But I had a gut feeling that he would do a great job.
Today I went and picked up the Browning from Pritchard and all I can say is that I am very pleased with the finished product.
Not showroom new but still shows character! I plan on using it to shoot some sporting clays. This to me is a true family heirloom that I hope to get a lifetime of use.
If you have a project like this and need a gunsmith post or send me an email and I will put you in contact with Pritchard.
Here's the background. Pictured above is a Belgian-made Browning A-5 12 gauge shotgun, auto-5 light twelve with 29 1/2" full choke barrel. This was my Dad's shotgun and I believed it was purchased sometime in the mid-1960s. My Dad started bird hunting which this shotgun was made for. But he did do some deer hunting with it. My Dad passed away before he could pass the American Tradition of hunting to me.
Sometime in my late high school years (I believe I was 17) I found five shotgun shells in the garage and took the gun out to shoot. I shot those five shells and cleaned the gun and put it back in the case. That was 27 years ago. If you asked me why I never used it since then I could not give you an answer.
This past spring break we were at the Homestead and they have a gun club and I found out that you could use your own shotgun on the range. That is when I got the idea that if I came back to the Resort I would like to shoot my Dad's Browning.
I was hit with disappointment when I went to see the gun at my mom's and that it had rust on the gun from stored in the case. I was on a quest at that point to get the gun restored if I could.
I found out that a fellow co-worker was a gunsmith and I asked if he could do the job for me. I have know B. Pritchard for many years but I have never seen his work. But I had a gut feeling that he would do a great job.
Today I went and picked up the Browning from Pritchard and all I can say is that I am very pleased with the finished product.
Not showroom new but still shows character! I plan on using it to shoot some sporting clays. This to me is a true family heirloom that I hope to get a lifetime of use.
If you have a project like this and need a gunsmith post or send me an email and I will put you in contact with Pritchard.
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