re: Got my first shotgun today *Update with pics*

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Never before seen pictures from world war two

How can you not envy the man who possesses that?

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This is for the 16 gauge ONLY

1909
1 - 3200

1910 to 1914 There is only vague info about 16 ga SNs in SV (page 74) for the time 1910 to 1914. SNs 3201 – 15000 were invoiced between 1st Jan. 1910 and 30th June 1913. Last shipped before the outbreak of WWI was SN 19642.

1915 to 1918 No production due to German occupation of Belgium during WWI.

1919: 19671- 20500
1920: 20501 - 22237
1921: 22238 - 24050
1922: 24051 – 26000

1923 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH BROWNING’S PATENT
26001 – 28400

1924: 28401 - 35650
1925: 35651 – 40010 (app.)
1926: 40011 (app.) - 51600
1927: 51601 - 57900
1928: 57901 – 65100

1929 Ventilated barrel rib (as an option) and barrel address change.
65101 – 82750

1930 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO
82751 – 90500

1931
90501 – 94000

1932 Introduction of the three shot Auto 3 with shorter magazine tube and shorter forearm marked “Browning 3 Shot”
94001 – 96072

1933
96073 – 96143

1934 Receiver legend Now with BROWNING and John M. Browning’s bust between “TRADE” and “MARK”
96144 – 99500

1935
99501 - 103500

1936
103501 – 105850

*1937* Introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen”. Barrel Rib four possibilities in 1937: none, solid (hollow) rib, ventilated rib with X posts or matted finish for Sweet Sixteen (SV page 98) Barrel Ring as before or drilled with three holes on the barrels of Sweet Sixteen Safety Gold plated (Sweet Sixteen only) Trigger Gold plated (Sweet Sixteen only) Misc. “Sweet Sixteen” not separated by SN. No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5s.
105850 – 111000

1938: 111001 – 118200
1939: 118201 – 126123
1940: 126124 – 126175

****1940 – 1953**** "A" Prefix American made Browning by “Remington Arms.”

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, “Stealth” Jeff Mull, “Ghost” A5-Hunter, “Bitter Sweet” Goad, era of the Sweet Sixteen.
This is one of the best kept secrets among some collectors. 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.” 1947 is also the only year the 3 shot 2 ¾ 16ga was marketed in the USA. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself.

1947 – 1953 “X Prefix Series”
1947: X1001 - X13666
1948: X13667 - X23501
1949: X23502 – X34600
1950: X34601 – X43700
1951: X43701 – X59400
1952: X59401 - X77700
1953: X77701 – X99999

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 takes the position that the true “Sweet Sixteen” was born when the receiver was engraved “Sweet Sixteen” in 1948. He acknowledges the lightweight A5 16 gauge guns produced between 1937- and 1947 are in fact Sweet Sixteens and identified as such in the factory issued catalogues. If the serial number records archived at Browning indicate the non-engraved guns are a Sweet Sixteen, Glen Jensen will issue a letter on Browning letterhead with an official seal for a fee authenticating the gun as a “Sweet Sixteen.”

1953 – 1954 “A Series” A above the serial number. These guns were a transitional series between the X and the below R/S marked guns.
A1-A958

1953 - 1957 R = Standard Weight, S = Sweet Sixteen
1953:
S 01 – S 3700
R 01 - R 3100
1954:
S 3701 – S 24850
R 3101 - R 20800
1955:
S 24851 – S 49350
R 20801 - R 48750
1956:
S 49351 – S 72300
R 48751 - R 74700
1957:
S 72301 – S 99908
R 74701 – R 99999

1957 – 1958 Second series of "A" prefix
A OR T 1300 – 10900 A Indicated Sweet Sixteen and T indicated standard 16

1958 – 1967 The single digit precedes the S and R. 8S,8R = 1958, 9S, = 1959, 0S = 1960, 7S =1967

1964 was the last year of the “R” (4R) Standard Weight A5 16ga.

1968 – 1976 The two digit year precedes the S. 68S = 1968, 76S = 1976

1976 Japanese Production Began, however, FN still produced Browning “Made in Belgium” shotguns into 1984, SV p65. The serial number coding system changed to the serial number preceding the date code. Serial began with 1000 – 99999 followed by the model code 221 Sweet Sixteen and 171 Superlight 16 and two letter year(R=7, T=6, P=8). see Browning Website

1976
1000 221 RT – Sweet Sixteen
1000 171 RT – Superlight Sixtee
1978
1000 221 RP – Sweet Sixteen
1987
1000 221 PR – Sweet Sixteen

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absolutely, i have one myself. i didnt have to dig far. i either came across that a few weeks ago or someone posted it for me. cant remember.

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Why not shoot steel?

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ive never shot it and dont plan on it. i got it in a trade for a hunting trailer (along with 2 other A5's and cash). its just a gun case shotgun. I do occasionaly shoot my dad's 12 ga. A5, and I consider that the best shooting shotgun ever made

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You just consider it to valuable to shoot? I have been debating if I should or not. Reallllllly want to though.

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It is fine to shoot, just don't abuse it and all will be well...

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