I have a Belgium made A-5 Browning that i bought last year. I am going to have the reciever and bl. reblued and I am going to refinish the wood myself. Does any body know what kind of finish was on the wood from the factory(shellac,varnish,lacquer, etc)? The collectors value is not important to me. This is something I want to give my son someday. Thanks.

Try Birchwood Casey Tru oil or Homer Fornby Tung Oil-- both should do fine be sure to use a sanding sealer

whatever you do....do it right, even if it has to be done by professional. the belgium browning deserves it. my magnum twenty has a VERY deep gloss finish, whatever it is.
i had it redone to cover battle scars of my younger years. it is worth more than money to me, probably not so much to others.

Several years ago, I stripped the finish from a Browning Lever Rifle. It appeared to be a lacquer finish with stain mixed in. I refinished with French Red stain, then several coats of Tru Oil.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=25688/Product/FRENCH-RED-STAIN