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Browning sweet 16 help

crusty 1201
My uncle passed on to me a sweet 16, I know nothing of its history.
I went to the Browning site to try and date it but came away totally confused. none of the numbers i found matched anything!
Maybe someone here can set me straight.
I found a number on the bottom near the reciever 9S 32574
I found this number on the barrel D54726 made in Belgium K 196
The barrel is ventilated with an adjustable choke, could this not be the original barrel? Are the numbers supposed to match.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.[?]
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The serialization of Browning firearms between the mid 60's & mid 70's is very confusing. Even the Browning site doesn't get it right.

    My take on your serial number is the "S" in the serial number, is the Model Identifier, in this case an A5. And the "9" is the actual date = 1969. 32574 would be the actual sequential serial number.
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  • crusty 1201
    Originally posted by rufe-snow
    The serialization of Browning firearms between the mid 60's & mid 70's is very confusing. Even the Browning site doesn't get it right.

    My take on your serial number is the "S" in the serial number, is the Model Identifier, in this case an A5. And the "9" is the actual date = 1969. 32574 would be the actual sequential serial number.
    [
    Thanks for the timely response and explanation, I testfired this gun, it lives up to its name -sweet!!/quote]
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  • Bert H.
    The information provided by rufe-snow is not correct.

    Browning A-5 serial number "9S 32574" is broken down as follows;

    "9" = 1959
    "S" = Sweet Sixteen
    "32574" = the sequential number made in that year (1959).
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  • Bert H.
    For edification purposes;

    Starting in the year 1958, serial numbers are preceded by the year of manufacture code. In this system, the first numeral is the year of manufacture; the next character is the model code. An example, 8M is the standard weight made in 1958; 8G is the lightweight model.

    MODEL NUMBERS A5

    M--STANDARD WEIGHT
    G--LIGHT WEIGHT
    V--12 GAUGE MAGNUM
    S--SWEET SIXTEEN
    Z--LIGHT 20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE MAGNUM

    The same date code is found for 1968 as 1958, but the pistol grip will be the flat knob style on the 1968, with a rounded knob on the 1958.

    Starting in 1969, the date code has two digits... 69M for a standard weight gun or 69S for a Sweet Sixteen made in 1969.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by crusty 1201
    I found a number on the bottom near the reciever 9S 32574
    I found this number on the barrel D54726 made in Belgium K 196
    The barrel is ventilated with an adjustable choke, could this not be the original barrel? Are the numbers supposed to match.

    Any input would be greatly appreciated.[?]


    The barrel serial numbers very seldom ever match the serial number on the receiver on a post WW II made A-5, so that in of itself is not an issue.

    A ventilated barrel on a Sweet Sixteen is a quite common configuration, but the adjustable choke is not. In most cases, the adjustable choke is an aftermarket addition. That said, without the benefit of being able to examine your gun, there is no way so say for sure if it is factory or aftermarket.
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  • crusty 1201
    Thanks Bert H.

    I guessing the choke is after market, It is Poly Choke Co. Hartford CT.
    Does this diminish the value? It doesn't matter though cause I will never sell this gun, it's a keeper.
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  • brotus2
    Great shotgun for a kid to learn to shoot skeet.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by crusty 1201
    Thanks Bert H.

    I guessing the choke is after market, It is Poly Choke Co. Hartford CT.
    Does this diminish the value? It doesn't matter though cause I will never sell this gun, it's a keeper.


    You are quite welcome.

    If the choke is aftermarket, then Yes, it does diminish the collector value.
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  • w2kbr
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    For edification purposes;

    Starting in the year 1958, serial numbers are preceded by the year of manufacture code. In this system, the first numeral is the year of manufacture; the next character is the model code. An example, 8M is the standard weight made in 1958; 8G is the lightweight model.

    MODEL NUMBERS A5

    M--STANDARD WEIGHT
    G--LIGHT WEIGHT
    V--12 GAUGE MAGNUM
    S--SWEET SIXTEEN
    Z--LIGHT 20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE
    X--20 GAUGE MAGNUM

    The same date code is found for 1968 as 1958, but the pistol grip will be the flat knob style on the 1968, with a rounded knob on the 1958.

    Starting in 1969, the date code has two digits... 69M for a standard weight gun or 69S for a Sweet Sixteen made in 1969.


    So...I have a Sweet 16...serial number S-646xx...
    Wud like year of manufacture if possible...
    Thanks
    R
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