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Browning A5 experts

87manche

kinder and gentler
Joined
May 20, 2020
Member Number
688
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Loc
lake erie
I have inherited a 16GA browning A5.
Serial is X40xxx
Which I believe puts it as 1950 production. It's engraved, it has checkering, it's definitely FN made in Belgium.
Is it a sweet 16?

It needs detail stripped and cleaned. I'm scared. Who's familiar with these things? I have no intention to take it out into the field or anything. It's a family heirloom kind of deal and it's been sitting in a closet for a long time. I just want to take it apart, clean and preserve it so it can sit in my closet for a long time and occasionally be taken to the range just to make sure it still works.

learn me on browning auto shotguns.
 
according to the shotgun world link it's murky in those immediate post war years.
1947 Post war Belgium made "X Prefix Series." No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. This is the "unmarked" Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen.

These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 ¾ inch chambered 16 gauge. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved "Sweet Sixteen." 1947 is also the only year the 3 shot 2 ¾ 16ga was marketed in the USA. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself.

1947 - 1953 "X Prefix Series"
1947: X1001 - X13666
1948: X13667 - X23501
1949: X23502 - X34600
1950: X34601 - X43700
1951: X43701 - X59400
1952: X59401 - X77700
1953: X77701 - X99999


No sweet sixteen engraved on the receiver, but it does have the fancy scrollwork.
I'm not familiar enough with the A5 to know the differences between regular 16ga and sweet 16. One is lighter yes?
It is marked 2 3/4. So at least I can shoot a modern shell through it.
 
It needs detail stripped and cleaned. I'm scared. Who's familiar with these things?
Very familiar with them in the 12ga flavor

Don't be afraid of taking it apart. Do not try to take out the single screw that goes into the lower tang midway behind the trigger guard, that one just holds a flat spring in there and it is usually really tight so you'll prolly bung it up rather than loosening it. It does not need to come out at all.

Everything else comes apart pretty reasonably easy.
Do not drop the bolt when the barrel is out, you'll dent the rec in the front of the ejection port.

Really put in the effort to brain out the order of operations that go on in there as it is cycling, it is really a work of mechanical art.
 
I know it’s Sentimental to you but don’t worry about not using it. You won’t wear it out. And neither will the next three generation behind you. Make sure the friction rings and brake are good and let er rip. You have a helluva fine gun. Enjoy.
 
I know it’s Sentimental to you but don’t worry about not using it. You won’t wear it out. And neither will the next three generation behind you. Make sure the friction rings and brake are good and let er rip. You have a helluva fine gun. Enjoy.
I have like 0 use for it.

I field stripped it and the brass bushing looks fine. I have no reason to think that it's not 100% functional as is, I just want to clean it up and preserve its insides.
 
I just want to clean it up and preserve its insides.
long recoil is magical
even shooting filthy BP shells (this design is from the turn of the century) all the poop goes outta the muzzle because of the ridiculong dwell time

the action on most of them never get taken apart as they just don't accumulate goop, some of the later clones even got the flappy paddle shell interrupters blind-pinned in place
 
What year is this Sweet 16? FN X48165
 

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