Browning FN Auto-5 A5 A-5 Sweet Sixteen 16 GA Semi-Auto Shotgun, 1962 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,075
WOA#: WY240226SP002
Make: Fabrique Nationale for Browning Arms
Model: Auto 5, Sweet Sixteen
Serial Number: 6S90023
Year of Manufacture: 1962 (2S Prefix) https://www.nramuseum.org/media/940941/serialization-date%20of%20manufacture.pdf
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells
Action Type: Recoil Operated, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, and with a series of Belgian proof and inspection marks and “* SPECIAL STEEL – 16 GAUGE – SHELLS 2 3/4?”. The left of the receiver is marked “Sweet Sixteen” above the flat and “BROWNING” above a bust portrait of Browning on the flat. The bottom of the receiver in front of the loading port is marked “2S / 90023”. The receiver has Grade 1 engraving. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN BELGIUM”.
Barrel Length: 25 1/2?, Vent-Rib
Choke: CYL-16, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the checkered vent rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a rounded pistol grip, finger grooves running the length of the forend and a brown Browning ventilated buttpad. There are handling marks throughout. The right side of the forend has some marring concentrated at the receiver on the bottom. There are spots on the bottom of the grip where the finish has bubbled away. The bottom of the rounded grip has some marring consistent with the marring on the forend. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures approximately 14 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad has very light wear at the heel and toe with well defined lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with no erosion. There is some corrosion at the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has light operational wear from the forend on the bottom and a few scattered minor marks. The markings are clear with the exception of the right-side barrel markings which are shallow and faint. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The most amount of finish loss is on the rear of the receiver and tangs. There is a small dent on the left side of barrel rib. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a magazine cutoff on the left front of the receiver, a safety at the rear of the trigger guard and a bolt release on the right side of the receiver. 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. During WWII, production of the Auto-5 was moved to Remington alongside the Model 11 until FN could resume production after the war. This Auto-5 is a Sweet Sixteen, built by FN after WWII with Grade I engraving on the receiver and tangs. It is chambered for 16 GA. 2 3/4” shells and has a 25 1/2” barrel choked CYL. This will make an excellent addition to any Browning or C&R collection. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
