What would you do with a Belgian sweet 16 barrel?

I would find a Auto-five restoration project for the host of your family treasure, gunsmithing bliss.

1936 The Browning Auto-5 "Sweet Sixteen" was released but limited to a test market.

1937 Introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen”, i.e. Light 16 Auto-5, for sale to the public.
Barrel Rib four possibilities in 1937: none, solid (hollow) rib, ventilated rib with X posts or matted finish for Sweet Sixteen
Barrel Ring as before or drilled with three holes on the barrels
Sweet Sixteen Safety Gold plated

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.
Last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen.
The only year the 3 shot 2 3⁄4 16ga was marketed in the USA.

1948
Introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen” in script engraved on the receiver. Prior to 1948 no sweet 16 was factory engraved “Sweet Sixteen.”
The Browning Customer Service department continues to provide research on individual guns and if records exist will issue a letter documenting requested information.

1976 Japanese Production began, however, FN still produced Browning “Made in Belgium” shotguns into 1984.
I have two Sweet Sixteens.
A Belgian 1957 family shotgun I restored in 2017, note 3-hole barrel ring to lighten its weight.
A 1987 mfg in Japan with screw-in choke options I purchased new.

Their more gauge and heavier than I prefer to take afield for quail hunting, nonetheless makes me grin loading the purple / black shotshells. When was the last time you saw a box of 16 ga for $10 ?

I authored a 100 page history / technical Manual for the Auto-5.



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LocoGringo said:

After the recent death of my dad, I have a Belgian made sweet 16 barrel. He had the idea of building a shotgun out of it, but I'm almost positive he bit off much more than he could chew. In sorting through some things, I found a "to do" list for this year and the shotgun was one of the things on it. Neither I nor my 2 brothers have a use for it.

I appreciate very much the Browning Auto-5 design as that was the first gun I ever purchased with my own money after saving all summer long from my yard cutting work at the age of 14. It would be cool to have a sweet 16 shotgun, but I fear trying to track down ammo for it.

A decision doesn't need to be made any time soon, but I respect a lot of opinions on this forum. So, given all of that, what would you do with this barrel?

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There's a reason your dad never got around to making a shotgun from a random barrel. It's like saying "I have a gas tank, I think I'll make a motorcycle out of it." In short it's a lot of work that could be dangerous if not done right.

If the barrel is in good condition, I think you would be pleasantly surprised how much it would bring on Gunbroker.

LocoGringo said:

I also am unable to find anything that indicates the choke. I'm kinda surprised about that. Aren't fixed choke barrels usually marked with the choke?

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Browning used a code to indicate choke. They are usually on the left hand side.

LocoGringo said:

So what I'm thinking I'm going to do is a gunbroker auction. I've never sold anything on Gunbroker, but I'm thinking of doing a two week penny auction with no reserve. I've only found 1 Browning sweet 16 barrel on Gunbroker and it was a slug barrel with an opening price of $800... Do you (or anyone else) have any other suggestions?

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Well $800 is high, but don't shoot yourself in the foot unless you are just feeling extra generous. It will easily go for $300 or more. Why not start at $275? It is at least worth that and I am being extremely conservative.

LocoGringo said:

OK, so if I'm looking at the barrel and the chamber is on the left side and the muzzle is on the right side, close to the chamber it says "**special steel-16 gauge-shells 2 3/4", those two asterisks mean Modified?

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Yes.

LocoGringo said:

So what I'm thinking I'm going to do is a gunbroker auction. I've never sold anything on Gunbroker, but I'm thinking of doing a two week penny auction with no reserve. I've only found 1 Browning sweet 16 barrel on Gunbroker and it was a slug barrel with an opening price of $800. That seems really high to me, no matter how rare. My point is I have no idea what the barrel is worth, but I'm hoping to get it to a large audience. Do you (or anyone else) have any other suggestions?

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A penny auction is a high risk - high reward proposition. It's best for something that you know will interest a large number of buyers. I don't know if a 16 ga barrel would be such an item. Personally, I'd start with a low price that at least ensures you'll get something, say, $250. That would prevent a possible disaster and still attract interest.