Browning Belgium Auto-5 A-5 Sweet Sixteen 16 GA Semi Auto Shotgun 26″ Brl.
SOLD FOR: $1426
Make: Browning Arms
Model: A-5 Sweet Sixteen
Serial Number: 116ZN03246
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Long Recoil Semi Automatic Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the chamber is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH Made in Portugal by Browning Viana”. There is an “H” on the Vent Rib near the receiver. The right side of the chamber is marked “USE WITH 16GA RECEIVER ONLY A5- Sweet Sixteen–16GA–2” ¾ IN VECTOR DS ™ – 26” Designed at Browning Belgium Patent Pending”. The left side of the receiver is marked “sweet sixteen / ® / BROWNING”. The right side of the receiver is marked, “116ZN03246” and “A5 sweet sixteen”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Vent-Rib
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a red-bar fiber optic at the front of the rib. The top of the rib and receiver have serrations for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered wood laminate set with a flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, black soft rubber INFLEX Technology buttplate, and finger grooves running the length of the forend. There are a couple light hard to notice scratches on the laminate surface. There is a chip where the sling stud meets the bottom of the buttstock. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are some light scattered scratches and some light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine+ condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 with a VECTOR DS Browning Choke kit that includes a choke removal tool and 2 chokes. One choke is a modified choke and the other is FULL.
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”. 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. This Auto-5 is a Sweet Sixteen model which was built by Browning in Portugal with a modern production date. It is chambered for 16 GA. 2 3/4” shells and has a 26” barrel choked Modified with extra chokes. The gun appears to have seen limited use with scattered light wear in the stocks, but little in the metal. This should make for a great classic hunting gun for the lucky winner, but would also be a neat addition to a Browning collection. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!