Possible Sweet 16

[uglyzombie]

So, this is the main reason I joined this forum. I came upon a rather interesting shotgun, supposedly a Browning A5. It was marked as a "Sweet 16", but I have my doubts.

I've taken numerous pictures, with my commentary below. Anything that anyone can tell me about this curious little shotgun would be most helpful.

This is her:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28668158/Sweet16/Overview.JPG

Here's the serial:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28668158/Sweet16/Serial.JPG

The barrel says "Made in Belgium":

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28668158/Sweet16/Barrel_Belgium.JPG

The barrel also says "Special Steel 16 Gauge Shell 2 9/16". I'm really curious about this, as it seems this ammo is super hard to find. I read somewhere that you can fire 16 gauge 2 1/2"?:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28668158/Sweet16/Barrel_Special_Steel.JPG

The Browning logo on the side:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28668158/Sweet16/Browning_Logo.JPG

Sorry about the rough photo quality. Camera phone is a bit tricky. I doubt this is a Sweet, because I've read that they had gold triggers, and would also say "Sweet 16" on the side. I do know it's a 16 gauge... but anything anyone knows about this would help me out a lot. It's really pretty. I've read some threads here and there on it, but nothing that really helped me identify what it is. I suspect that it's pre-WWII from the serial.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

[GUNNTZ]

You sir have yourself a 1939 16GA. Unfortunately, it is not a sweet 16 because browning used a prefix starting 1953. To be a sweet 16 it would need to start with a S in the serial. None the less it's a fine specimen, though it is on the less desirable list. One thing I can't tell you is the grade, this really dictates its value.

[Thefeeder]

><

Standard Weight 16ga 1939 Yep!

A lot of these older 16's were rechamered for 2 3/4" shells......have a gunsmith check it for you.

[TheExpertish]

Standard Weight 16ga 1939 Yep!

A lot of these older 16's were rechamered for 2 3/4" shells......have a gunsmith check it for you.

What were the standard length of the shells for that era?

[Thefeeder]

><

Reguardless of the era....you have to go with what is stamped on the barrel.

16's were first made with 2 9/16th chambers, I don't recall off hand what year they started the 2 3/4 " .....But who is to say that is the original barrel...Is it numbered to the gun?

You still have to go with what is stamped on the barrel reguardlees, until confirmed it was rechambered.

Don't measure it with a 2 3/4" shell.....it will chamber.....then bad things will happen when fired

[TheExpertish]

Reguardless of the era....you have to go with what is stamped on the barrel.

16's were first made with 2 9/16th chambers, I don't recall off hand what year they started the 2 3/4 " .....But who is to say that is the original barrel...Is it numbered to the gun?

You still have to go with what is stamped on the barrel reguardlees, until confirmed it was rechambered.

Don't measure it with a 2 3/4" shell.....it will chamber.....then bad things will happen when fired

Okay. I'm only asking because I have a Steven's single shot that's a 16 gauge.

[uglyzombie]

Standard Weight 16ga 1939 Yep!

A lot of these older 16's were rechamered for 2 3/4" shells......have a gunsmith check it for you.

Thanks a bunch! I plan on taking it to the local gunsmith shortly. One question, I read you can shoot 2 1/2" out of something chambered for 2 9/16". Is this true? I only ask because it seems to be much easier to find 16 ga 2 1/2" ammo.

[GUNNTZ]

There's a forum dedicated to older shotguns, can't remember the name. They might be able to help on this ammo question.