Engraved Browning Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen 28″ 16 GA Semi-Auto Shotgun 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,713.99
LSB#: 240203MT001
Make: Fabrique Nationale, made for Browning Arms
Model: Auto 5 Sweet Sixteen
Serial Number: 9S34101
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Long-Recoil Semi Auto Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 28”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead fixed to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is checkered and the top of the receiver serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with finger-grooved forend, a semi-pistol grip, a fluted straight comb and a horn FN Browning Automatic buttplate. There is some scattered thinning finish with a few minor nicks and scuffs. There is a crack in the bottom-rear of the forend. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with a worm-hole at the toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished at time of engraving. The bottom tang and stock inlet are serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks and the action shows light operational wear. The barrel extension has a plum hue. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire 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”. It has seen production not only by FN in Belgium, but also by Remington and Savage here in the United States. This example is a desirable configuration, the Sweet Sixteen. A 16 Gauge lightweight gun, it has beautiful relief foliate engraving with molded silver waterfowl scenes on the receiver flats, including a fox on the right side. The rear of the “hump-back” also has a previous owner’s initials in gothic script. Per the consignor, this gun was engraved by Hamada & Son in Tokyo, Japan, a popular company among American servicemen stationed on the island. This is a gorgeous Sweet Sixteen that is equally suited for display and taking back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
