BROWNING A5 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER

These guns were a transitional series between the X and the below R/S marked guns.ДЎ953 - 1957 R = Standard Weight, S = Sweet SixteenДЄ Serial Number 01 Novemand T Serial Number T229 November 24, 1957ДЎ957-1958 A or T #01 вЂ“ 10900 A Indicated Sweet Sixteen and T indicated standard 16ДЎ958 вЂ“ 1967 The single digit precedes the S and R. 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 вЂњSweet Sixteen.вЂќДЎ953 вЂ“ 1954 A - Series 'A' in front of or above the serial number. 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. Prior to 1948 no sweet 16 was factory engraved вЂњSweet Sixteen.вЂќ Glen Jensen, Browning Historian takes the position that the true вЂњSweet SixteenвЂќ was born when the receiver was engraved вЂњSweet SixteenвЂќ in 1948. Introduction of the вЂњSweet SixteenвЂќ in script engraved on the receiver. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved вЂњSweet Sixteen.вЂќ 1947 is also the only year the 3 shot 2 Вѕ 16ga was marketed in the USA. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 Вѕ inch chambered 16 gauge. These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the вЂњunmarkedвЂќ Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen. ****1940 вЂ“ 1953**** 'A' Prefix American made Browning by вЂњRemington Arms.вЂќДЎ947 Post war Belgium made вЂњX Prefix Series.вЂќ No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5s. Barrel Rib four possibilities in 1937: none, solid (hollow) rib, ventilated rib with X posts or matted finish for Sweet Sixteen (SV page 9 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. *1937* Introduction of the вЂњSweet SixteenвЂќ sale to the public. BrowningвЂ™s bust between вЂњTRADEвЂќ and вЂњMARKвЂќДЎ936 The 'Sweet Sixteen' was released but limited to a test market. Last shipped before the outbreak of WWI was SN 19642.ДЎ915 to 1918 No production due to German occupation of Belgium during WWI.ДЎ923 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH BROWNINGвЂ™S PATENTДЎ929 Ventilated barrel rib (as an option) and barrel address change.ДЎ930 Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MOДЎ932 Introduction of the three shot Auto 3 with shorter magazine tube and shorter forearm marked вЂњBrowning 3 ShotвЂќДЎ934 Receiver legend Now with BROWNING and John M. SNs 3201 вЂ“ 15000 were invoiced between 1st Jan. Browning informed me the gun left the factory in 1955.ДЎ910 to 1914 There is only vague info about 16 ga SNs in SV (page 74) for the time 1910 to 1914. I found what I thought was a very early 1948 Sweet Sixteen based on the serial number. Other factors need to be taken into consideration to properly date your gun. I took the liberty to use the Calandar Year Jan.

Details about dates, transitions, exceptions, and other nuances can be found in the Shirley/Vanderlinden book, Browning Auto 5 Shotguns. These dates were gleaned primarily from Sauerfan's timeline and the Shirley/Vanderlinden book. The serial number and dates are approximations only. I decided to share it here since this is where much of my limited knowledge came from. I compiled this quick reference serial number guide for dating 16ga Browning A5s and the Auto 5-3 Shot, by serial number. A common mistake I have seen in many, many, gun shops and online sites is to assign the 12ga serial number date to a 16ga. Browning 12ga numbers began with number 1 in 1903. PICS! NEW BROWNING CITORI WHITE LIGHTNING 12 GA 26' ENGRAVED 26 GAUGE O/U 023614735113 INCH ' BARREL 018142305 SHOTGUN OU 3 A5 GOLDДЄ5 (AUTO 5) BROWNING SWEET SIXTEEN 16GA 2-3/4' BELGIAN AUTO IMP 27' 1957 C&R - NR! 27 INCH ' BARRELДЎ2 GAUGE BROWNING A5 LIGHT 70 BELGIUM 26IN IC VRД 118472004 BROWNING A5 WICKED WING SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN 12 GAUGE 28' BARREL 3.This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only.

Browning a5 serial numbers