Browning Auto-5 A5 A-5 Sweet Sixteen 16 Ga 26″ Semi Auto Shotgun, 1969 C&R

More All Sold Items

SOLD FOR: $2,050.00

LSB#: LSB251104TE002

Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms

Model: A5 “Sweet Sixteen”

Serial Number: 69S88984

Year of Manufacture: 1969 / C&R

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Chamber

Action Type: Long Recoil Semi Automatic Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM” “16-70, 16.8” with Belgian proof marks. The right side of the barrel is marked “–SPECIAL STEEL–16 GAUGE – SHELLS 2 ¾ ” And The left side of the receiver is marked “SWEET SIXTEEN / BROWNING” with a bust portrait of John Browning. The receiver has tasteful Grade I floral engraving. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number “69S88984”

Barrel Length: 26″

Choke: Fixed: Improved Cylinder

Sights / Optics: The barrel has a silver-colored bead at the front of its vent-rib. The top of both receiver and vented rib have checkering for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a high gloss finish with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, FN Browning hard rubber buttplate and finger grooves running the length of the forend. There are a few compression marks and light dings on the buttstock. There are no chips, cracks, or areas of finish loss. The checkering is still sharp. The LOP measures 14 1 /4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is mirror bright. There is no erosion. This writer would rate the bore at 10/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is minimal blueing loss on the receiver leading edges. There are infrequent tiny nicks and handling marks and the gold trigger shows some age-related wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in a Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment:The Browning Automatic 5, most often Auto-5 or simply A-5, is a recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed by John Browning. The Browning Auto-5 was the first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun. Designed by John Browning in 1898 and patented in 1900, it was produced continually for almost 100 years by several makers with production ending in 1998. It features a distinctive high rear end, earning it the nickname “Humpback”. Browning presented his design to Winchester, where he had sold his rifle designs, but they refused his terms. He then went to Remington, but the president of the company died while he was waiting to offer them the gun. Browning then took the gun to FN in Europe and was so confident of his design that his first order was for 10,000 shotguns. The design was later licensed to Remington for their Model 11 and to Savage Arms for their Models 720 and 755.

The Sweet Sixteen variant earned its reputation by offering the handling qualities of a lighter field gun while retaining the durability and reliability that made the Auto-5 legendary. This example, manufactured in 1969 in Belgium, reflects the mature period of FN production when fit, finish, and consistency were exceptionally high.

This shotgun retains approximately 98 percent of its original blued finish, with only minimal thinning at the receiver’s leading edges and a few tiny handling marks visible on close inspection. The tasteful Grade I floral engraving on the receiver remains crisp, and the bust portrait of John Moses Browning is cleanly defined. The gold-washed trigger shows light age-appropriate wear, while the markings and screw heads remain sharp. The checkered walnut stocks present in Fine condition, with a high-gloss finish, sharp checkering, and only minor compression marks on the buttstock, all consistent with careful use and storage.

The bore is mirror bright with no erosion, rating 10 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the long-recoil action functions correctly, maintaining the distinctive operating system that set the Auto-5 apart from all other shotguns of its time. Chambered in 16 gauge with a 26-inch barrel and fixed Improved Cylinder choke, this Sweet Sixteen offers an ideal balance for upland use while remaining highly collectible. As a late Belgian-produced example in strong condition, this shotgun represents both the historical significance and enduring appeal of the Auto-5 design. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!