Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this highly desirable Belgium Made semi-auto shotgun today for a penny start auction, this is the FN Browning Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen!
"X Prefix Series" are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen and ran from 1947-1953. This example holds serial number X90889 and dates to 1953!
"X Prefix Series" are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen and ran from 1947-1953. This example holds serial number X90889 and dates to 1953!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Browning
Model: A5 Sweet Sixteen
Serial: X90889
Date of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: 16 Gauge 2 3/4" Chambered
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 28" Vent Ribbed
Optics/Sights: Bead Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Round Knob Stock and Forearm
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard / Features Belgium proof markings on the right side of the receiver and left side of the barrel.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Browning Automatic 5, most often Auto-5 or simply A-5, is a recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed by John Browning. It was the first successful semi-automatic shotgun design, and remained in production until 1998. The name of the shotgun designates that it is an autoloader with a capacity of five rounds, four in the magazine and one in the chamber. 1937 marked the introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen” sale to the public.
1947 Post-war Belgium made "X Prefix Series." No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. This is the "unmarked" Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen. These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 ¾ inch chambered 16 gauge. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved "Sweet Sixteen."
1948 Introduction of the "Sweet Sixteen" in script engraved on the receiver. Prior to 1948, no sweet 16 was factory engraved "Sweet Sixteen." Glen Jensen, Browning Historian took the position with me that the true "Sweet Sixteen" was born when the receiver was engraved "Sweet Sixteen" in 1948. He acknowledged the lightweight A5 16 gauge guns produced between 1936 and 1947 are in fact Sweet Sixteen and identified as such in the factory-issued catalogs. If the serial number records archived at Browning indicate the non-engraved guns are a Sweet Sixteen, Glen Jensen would issue a letter on Browning letterhead with an official seal for a fee authenticating the gun as a "Sweet Sixteen." Since Glen Jensen's retirement in 2014, the Browning Customer Service department continues to provide research on individual guns and if records exist will issue a letter documenting requested information.
1953 - 1954 A - Series "A" in front of or above the serial number. These guns were a transitional series between the X and the below R/S marked guns. The "Sweet Sixteen" became a favorite of bird hunters, especially southern quail hunters, for whom birds and quail are synonymous. Sweet 16s had holes drilled in the barrel rings and hammers, as well as metal removed from inside the receiver and a thinner rib to save weight. Many also had hollowed-out stocks. They were advertised as about ¾ of a pound lighter than the standard weight 16s.
Contents:
This example will ship with a Browning Traditional auto/pump leather-like vinyl case and keys seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: A5 Sweet Sixteen
Serial: X90889
Date of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: 16 Gauge 2 3/4" Chambered
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 28" Vent Ribbed
Optics/Sights: Bead Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Round Knob Stock and Forearm
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard / Features Belgium proof markings on the right side of the receiver and left side of the barrel.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Browning Automatic 5, most often Auto-5 or simply A-5, is a recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed by John Browning. It was the first successful semi-automatic shotgun design, and remained in production until 1998. The name of the shotgun designates that it is an autoloader with a capacity of five rounds, four in the magazine and one in the chamber. 1937 marked the introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen” sale to the public.
1947 Post-war Belgium made "X Prefix Series." No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. This is the "unmarked" Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen. These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 ¾ inch chambered 16 gauge. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved "Sweet Sixteen."
1948 Introduction of the "Sweet Sixteen" in script engraved on the receiver. Prior to 1948, no sweet 16 was factory engraved "Sweet Sixteen." Glen Jensen, Browning Historian took the position with me that the true "Sweet Sixteen" was born when the receiver was engraved "Sweet Sixteen" in 1948. He acknowledged the lightweight A5 16 gauge guns produced between 1936 and 1947 are in fact Sweet Sixteen and identified as such in the factory-issued catalogs. If the serial number records archived at Browning indicate the non-engraved guns are a Sweet Sixteen, Glen Jensen would issue a letter on Browning letterhead with an official seal for a fee authenticating the gun as a "Sweet Sixteen." Since Glen Jensen's retirement in 2014, the Browning Customer Service department continues to provide research on individual guns and if records exist will issue a letter documenting requested information.
1953 - 1954 A - Series "A" in front of or above the serial number. These guns were a transitional series between the X and the below R/S marked guns. The "Sweet Sixteen" became a favorite of bird hunters, especially southern quail hunters, for whom birds and quail are synonymous. Sweet 16s had holes drilled in the barrel rings and hammers, as well as metal removed from inside the receiver and a thinner rib to save weight. Many also had hollowed-out stocks. They were advertised as about ¾ of a pound lighter than the standard weight 16s.
Contents:
This example will ship with a Browning Traditional auto/pump leather-like vinyl case and keys seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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