FN Browning Auto 5 Sweet Sixteen A-5 A5 16 GA 27.5″ Shotgun 1966 C&R w/ Box
SOLD FOR: $2557
LSB#: 220108DS009
Make: FN in Belgium for Browning
Model: Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen
Serial Number: 6S57306
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Gauge: 16 Gauge with 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Long-Recoil, 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 Belgian proofs and a “* / W” inspection mark. The right side of the barrel is marked “* * SPECIAL STEEL – 16 GAUGE – SHELLS 2 3/4″”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number at the front. The left of the receiver is marked “Sweet Sixteen / BROWNING” and with a bust portrait of John Browning. The receiver has tasteful Grade I engraving. The bottom of the barrel is marked with proofs and “L53989”. The barrel extension is marked with a perron and “* / W” inspection.
Barrel Length: 27 1/2″
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass post on a base that is fixed to the barrel. The top of the barrel is finely checkered and the top of the receiver is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a high gloss finish, finger-grooved forend, round-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and FN Browning hard rubber buttplate. There are a few compressions and some little dings on the buttstock. There is light crazing on the left side of the stock and the bottom of the forearm. The checkering has light handling wear and is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8? to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered light wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are some infrequent spots of faint surface erosion on the sides of the receiver and barrel. There are infrequent tiny nicks and handling marks. There is faint oxidation on the bolt and trigger. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are sharp. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine-Plus 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: This shotgun comes in an original Browning box that shows heavy wear and is torn at the two front corners and has a puncture on the top.
Our Assessment: The Browning Automatic 5, most often referred to as 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 Sweet Sixteen was built by FN in 1966 with Grade I engraving on the receiver. It is chambered for 16 GA. 2 3/4” shells and has a 27 1/2” Modified choke barrel. This shotgun has certainly not seen much use and has a bright bore and strong mechanics. This is a well-made shotgun and a functioning piece of history. Please see our photos and good luck!