Browning A5 16 Gauge Serial Number Date Guide

Scotsman11 · **Joined:** Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:49 pm **Posts:** 1

Just was gifted a Browning sweet 16 from my dad. Basically new and perhaps fired one box of shells total in its life. Serial number is S 84531. I was going to get some shells and give it a whirl to insure proper function. I wanted to confirm year of manufacture. 1957?

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:56 am

First, welcome to Shotgunworld!

Next, congratulations on successfully interpreting Goad’s chart. 1957 was a good year for Auto-5’s. One thing to remember, a lot of parts were changed a year later, so if yours breaks, you may need to scrounge. Since it’s practically new, that’s years in the future.

Rubberhead · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:41 am

1956 Sweet Sixteen been in the family since new was given to me...it was very much a hunting gun and remains active in the field...

TLK16 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:29 am

Rubberhead wrote:

1956 Sweet Sixteen been in the family since new was given to me...it was very much a hunting gun and remains active in the field...

Great Photo, Love to see it being used!

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2020 5:21 pm

Bump

fiasconva · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:15 am

Mid September bump

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:18 am

fiasconva · **Posted:** Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:27 pm

Halloween Eve bump

fiasconva · **Posted:** Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:05 pm

Bump again...

boon hogganbeck · **Joined:** Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:59 pm **Posts:** 5

I've got a Belgian Sweet 16 (round knob, 27" vent rib barrel choked Full) with "A920" on the receiver. Is there a way to tell if it's the first A series (1953-1954) or the second (1957-1958)?

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:06 pm

boon hogganbeck wrote:

I've got a Belgian Sweet 16 (round knob, 27" vent rib barrel choked Full) with "A920" on the receiver. Is there a way to tell if it's the first A series (1953-1954) or the second (1957-1958)?

Yes, but not from the serial number. Check the Date Code among the proofs. 1953 will have the Greek letter theta. 1954 is idunnowhat, (lambda?) looks like an inverted y. 1957 is pi, and ‘58 rho.

http://shotguns.se/html/belgium.html

boon hogganbeck · **Joined:** Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:59 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks! I’ll pull the barrel and take a look.

boon hogganbeck · **Joined:** Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:59 pm **Posts:** 5

The proof looks like a lowercase theta to me, so it seems to be a 1953 gun. Thanks for the tip!

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:31 am

boon hogganbeck wrote:

The proof looks like a lowercase theta to me, so it seems to be a 1953 gun. Thanks for the tip!

Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed. That means that only 38 or fewer A prefix guns were made in 1954.

Speed Load was introduced in late 1953. Does your gun have it?

boon hogganbeck · **Joined:** Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:59 pm **Posts:** 5

Rudolph31 wrote:

boon hogganbeck wrote:

The proof looks like a lowercase theta to me, so it seems to be a 1953 gun. Thanks for the tip!

Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed. That means that only 38 or fewer A prefix guns were made in 1954.

Speed Load was introduced in late 1953. Does your gun have it?

Sorry, just seeing this now. I didn't even know what "Speed Load" meant and had to watch a video on it. Mine doesn't seem to do that.

My dad has a newer Belgian Sweet 16 (w/ the blonder wood and the squared off pistol grip), so I assume it does. I'll have to try "Speed Load" on it.

Goad · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:57 am

Hi Boon, We are pleased that you found this information useful and happy to help.

Five forks · **Posted:** Fri Dec 25, 2020 12:45 am

Merry Christmas!

Rudolph31 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 25, 2020 2:13 pm

Five forks wrote:

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU!

Goad · **Posted:** Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:27 pm

Advent is the reason for the season!

Toneloc · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:27 pm **Posts:** 1

Hi guys:

Having trouble matching up any of the serial number info posted in the original post with this one. This was my grandfathers... 3S followed by 7122. Anyone know what year this would be ?

Thanks.
Tony

Browning A5 16 Gauge Serial Number Date Guide

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