Browning Auto-5 A5 A-5 Sweet Sixteen 16 GA FULL 28″ Semi Auto Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,001.11
LSB#: LSB251102TW013
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: A5 “Sweet Sixteen”
Serial Number: 68S78647
Year of Manufacture: 1968 / 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” with Belgian proof marks. The right side of the barrel is marked “–SPECIAL STEEL–16 GAUGE – SHELLS 2 ¾ ”. 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 “68S78647”
Barrel Length: 28″
Choke: Fixed: 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 multiple compression marks and scratches on the buttstock and forearm. There is a small chip on the right side of the wrist and the varnish has lost most of its gloss. The checkering is slightly worn. The LOP measures 14 1 /4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion but there is stubborn plastic fouling present. This writer would rate the bore at 9/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is blueing loss on the receiver leading edges and freckled oxidation. There are multiple tiny nicks and handling marks and the gold trigger shows tarnish and wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in a Good 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 Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen represents one of the most enduring and influential shotgun designs of the twentieth century, built around John Moses Browning’s long-recoil operating system that forever changed the concept of the semi-automatic shotgun. First patented at the turn of the century and produced for nearly 100 years, the Auto-5 became instantly recognizable for its distinctive “humpback” receiver and unmatched reliability. The Sweet Sixteen variant, in particular, earned a devoted following by delivering the handling qualities of a lighter upland gun while maintaining the strength and durability that defined the Auto-5 platform.
This example was manufactured in 1968 in Belgium and reflects the late, mature period of FN production. It is fitted with a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and fixed choke, a traditional configuration well suited to longer-range field use. The shotgun retains approximately 85 percent of its original blued finish, with expected wear concentrated along the receiver edges and scattered freckling consistent with age and handling. The receiver engraving remains visible, and the gold-washed trigger shows honest tarnish and wear. The walnut stocks exhibit multiple compression marks, scratches, light chipping at the wrist, and worn checkering, placing the wood in Good overall condition while retaining strong period character.
The bore is bright with no erosion, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion due to stubborn plastic fouling. Mechanically, the long-recoil action functions correctly and smoothly. Chambered in 16 gauge, the Sweet Sixteen occupies a sweet spot between handling and effectiveness that has kept it relevant with upland hunters for generations. As a Belgian-made Auto-5 from the late 1960s, this shotgun stands as a well-used but authentic example of a legendary sporting arm whose design legacy remains unmatched. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!
