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HELP!!!!

SgtMojo
Okay, my great aunt gave me a Browning Sweet 16 here recently. I'm trying to figure out the manufacture date, but I'm not understanding their system. The SN is 4S25821. Can someone please shed some light. The thing that is killing me is I'm a veteran and currently a police officer and handle firearms ALL the time. I just don't understand Browning's system on this shotgun. I'm trying to determine the age so I can determine its value. It is in great condition with no knicks or scratches on the wood. The receiver has very LIGHT wear...Thanks in advance for your help.....man I feel retarded...LOL
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11 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    You are not the first to be confused by Brownings serial number range . One thing to remember was all Brownings of any Ga.was the same format EXCEPT 16 ga. was different yours is 1955

    EDIT hello Bert DARN one reference "the one I quoted" said 1955 and then after your post my other one stated 1964. Now I am confused [:(!] Sorry if I mis-spoke one stated first number and first letter the other stated sweet sixteen different and serial and letter not the first number was the KEY to date.
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  • SgtMojo
    I certainly appreciate the quick response. Older than I thought. My guess is, it is a pretty darn good gift....LOL! Thank You!
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  • CS8161
    quote:Originally posted by SgtMojo
    Okay, my great aunt gave me a Browning Sweet 16 here recently. I'm trying to figure out the manufacture date, but I'm not understanding their system. The SN is 4S25821. Can someone please shed some light. The thing that is killing me is I'm a veteran and currently a police officer and handle firearms ALL the time. I just don't understand Browning's system on this shotgun. I'm trying to determine the age so I can determine its value. It is in great condition with no knicks or scratches on the wood. The receiver has very LIGHT wear...Thanks in advance for your help.....man I feel retarded...LOL


    Being a police officer does not automatically make one super knowledgeable about firearms! Most of the men and women on my old department didn't know a revolver from a semi-auto and only touched their sidearms when they had to qualify once a year![;)]
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  • Bert H.
    I have to disagree with Perry...

    Serial number 4S 25821 was manufactured in 1964 versus 1955.
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  • SgtMojo
    so now there are two different answers....what is the formula to find out. haha! I should just spend the money and get the trace letter from Browning....That would add to the value anyways...well from what I hear.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by SgtMojo
    so now there are two different answers....what is the formula to find out. haha! I should just spend the money and get the trace letter from Browning....That would add to the value anyways...well from what I hear.


    There is one correct answer, and one answer that is not correct... The "formula" is in the serial number. The first two digits (stamped above the "25281") are the year of manufacture and the specific variation. The "4" positively denotes 1964 and the "S" tells us that it is a Sweet Sixteen.

    If you want to waste your $$ go ahead. That said, I have never heard of Browning providing something called a "trace" letter, or for that matter, any type of research letter. The Cody Firearms Musuem provides factory letters for older Winchester, Marlin, and L.C. Smith firearms, while Colt rips people off with their greatly overpriced letters, and Roy Jinks still provide letters for the old S & W firearms. Browning on the other hand, has never offered factory letters or "trace" letters.

    Edit... never mind the crossed out text... I obviously did not know what I was talking about and was completely unaware that Browning had improved their services[:I]
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  • Old-Colts
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    Browning on the other hand, has never offered factory letters or "trace" letters.I'd never heard of this either, so I searched the Browning site and found this:

    http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?ID=197

    I wonder if this is a new service?

    It is also addressed on the "Date Your Gun" Page:

    http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/index.asp
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  • turtles11756
    THE book on the auto five at fn-browning.com
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    Browning on the other hand, has never offered factory letters or "trace" letters.I'd never heard of this either, so I searched the Browning site and found this:

    http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?ID=197

    I wonder if this is a new service?

    It is also addressed on the "Date Your Gun" Page:

    http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/index.asp


    That is indeed definitely something new... and a very good addition to boot! I will have to contact Cody and let them know, as they quite often provide referrals to folks who call or walk in looking for such information. Thank you very much for setting me straight[:)].
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  • SgtMojo
    also if anyone knows, what is the value? it is in great shape. No knicks of scratches on the wood, and very little wear on the receiver...
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by SgtMojo
    also if anyone knows, what is the value? it is in great shape. No knicks of scratches on the wood, and very little wear on the receiver...


    Please post some pictures of it (in a new topic string).
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