Seeking info on 16ga Browning
Mahlon G. Kelly
#
# I recently inherited my grandfathers semi-auto 16 gauge Browning shotgun
# and would like to get a little information about it. I'm fairly uneducated
# when it comes to shotguns, but interested in learning.
#
# First I'll pose the "What've I got/What's it worth" question.
# The Serial # on the bottom of the receiver is 97964, it's got the FN factory
# stamp underneath it. The barrel and receiver are both stamped "Browning Arms
# Co. St. Louis Missouri". The barrel also says "*16 special steel". There
# are gobs of import/proof types of stamps but no other english. Is this what
# people call a "sweet 16"? When it was new, the stock would've been absolutely
# beautiful, but the finish is in pretty bad shape now. This gun is quite worn,
# so unless it's rare, I'm assuming it's not worth alot, but I'd like to know
# how old it is and it's approximate value.
#
# It has an adjustable choke made by "The Polychoke Co. Hartford Conn." Was
# this original equipment, or added later?
#
# The magazine only holds two rounds so I assume that it has a plug installed.
# I've taken off the forearm and barrel, but can't figure out how to remove/install the plug. Any help?
#
# I've not been turkey hunting before, but would like to. Is there a 16 gauge
# load that is most suitable for turkey hunting? I would plan to do some
# patterning tests before going, but would like some general pointers on
# effective range vs. load and choke before starting.
#
# Many Thanks,
# Charles
# cha...@wilbur.nrlssc.navy.mil
The S/N indicates that your gun, known as an auto-5 and one of
John Browning's best designs, was made in 1931. I am unwilling
to make a guess at value without seeing a gun. It is just too
misleading (I say this as an appraiser). The polychoke was
factory installed on some A-5s, (although Browning collectors
will deny this, I have seen Browning cases designed to take the
polychoke). Many more were put on later. Regardless, the
polychoke hurts the value. 16 can be fine for turkeys. Set the
polychoke to full, and use a fairly heavy load of #2 or #3
shot. BE SURE, HOWEVER, THAT YOUR GUN WAS NOT CHAMBERED FOR
2-1/2". The fact that only 2 rounds will fit makes me wonder,
and most pre-wars were chambered for that (or actually for
2-9/16). Take it to a reliable smith and have the chamber
checked. Ammo is available, but expensive if it is a short
chamber. It is not, by the way, a "sweet 16". The blue book
says that a 60% gun is worth $200, but my experience is that
most go for more than that, even as shooters, and even with the
2-9/16" chambers and polychoke.
Tivers
cha...@wilbur.nrlssc.navy.mil (Charles Thompson) writes:
#Sweet sixteen?
Tivers@aol replies: You have a Browing Special, Grade I. Discontinued
about 1940, worth about $600 today in good condition. It's probably a
3-shot model.
Charles Thompson
I recently inherited my grandfathers semi-auto 16 gauge Browning shotgun
First I'll pose the "What've I got/What's it worth" question.
The Serial # on the bottom of the receiver is 97964, it's got the FN factory
stamp underneath it. The barrel and receiver are both stamped "Browning Arms
Co. St. Louis Missouri". The barrel also says "*16 special steel". There
are gobs of import/proof types of stamps but no other english. Is this what
people call a "sweet 16"? When it was new, the stock would've been absolutely
beautiful, but the finish is in pretty bad shape now. This gun is quite worn,
so unless it's rare, I'm assuming it's not worth alot, but I'd like to know
how old it is and it's approximate value.
It has an adjustable choke made by "The Polychoke Co. Hartford Conn." Was
this original equipment, or added later?
The magazine only holds two rounds so I assume that it has a plug installed.
I've taken off the forearm and barrel, but can't figure out how to remove/install the plug. Any help?
I've not been turkey hunting before, but would like to. Is there a 16 gauge
load that is most suitable for turkey hunting? I would plan to do some
patterning tests before going, but would like some general pointers on
effective range vs. load and choke before starting.
Many Thanks,
Charles
cha...@wilbur.nrlssc.navy.mil
- CUM CATAPULTAE PROSCRIPTAE ERUNT TUM SOLI PROSCRIPTI CATAPULTAS HABEBUNT -
Henry E Schaffer
Charles Thompson <cha...@wilbur.nrlssc.navy.mil> wrote:
#
#I recently inherited my grandfathers semi-auto 16 gauge Browning shotgun
#and would like to get a little information about it. I'm fairly uneducated
#when it comes to shotguns, but interested in learning.
#
#First I'll pose the "What've I got/What's it worth" question.
#The Serial # on the bottom of the receiver is 97964, it's got the FN factory
#stamp underneath it. The barrel and receiver are both stamped "Browning Arms
#Co. St. Louis Missouri". The barrel also says "*16 special steel". There
#are gobs of import/proof types of stamps but no other english. Is this what
Sounds like the Auto-5 shotgun made by FN. The serial number range of
the 16 ga. production was 1 - 128,000 and manufacture stopped in 1939
(it started in 1903, but I can't tell if that was 16 ga or 12 ga.). The
value depends strongly on the exact model and the condition. Some
models could be worth about $1,000 in poor condition. Others could be
worth much less, perhaps only $200-400 in decent to good condition.
#people call a "sweet 16"? When it was new, the stock would've been absolutely
I've heard 'sweet 16' to refer to the gauge, not to any particular
model. By the way, this gun should be checked for the size of its
chamber. Some of the old (pre-WWII) 16 ga A-5's were chambered for
2 9/16" shells instead of the modern 2 3/4" shells, and would be
dangerous to shoot with the modern shells. I think that the chamber can
be bored out the additional 1/4", but a competent gunsmith should be
consulted.
#beautiful, but the finish is in pretty bad shape now. This gun is quite worn,
#so unless it's rare, I'm assuming it's not worth alot, but I'd like to know
#how old it is and it's approximate value.
My info is from the Blue Book, 15/e.
#
#It has an adjustable choke made by "The Polychoke Co. Hartford Conn." Was
#this original equipment, or added later?
This sounds like added equipment.
# ...
--henry schaffer