Sweet Sixteen??

[devdotedad]

Hello from a newbie. Been lurking for a few days and am very impressed with this forum. My question is: My father in law gave me a Browning "sweet sixteen" A5 16 ga. auto shotgun - purchased in 1970 but never been fired or even put together. Its packaged with cleaning rod/stuff and documentation inside a Browning Nugahide Hard case. Would any of you gentlemen or ladies know the approximate value of this piece? Needless to say its in 100% new condition.
Thanks a lot.
Eugene C.

 

[Dave McC]

You may get a better response on this on Harley Nolden's forum. He and some other guys are fountainheads of gun knowledge.

I will say that you have a classic shotgun, probably Belgian made, and in NIB condition you have a collectable piece, as well as one of the best shotguns ever made.

Enjoy...

 

[Kobra]

My father also owns one of those. The best rabbit gun I have ever come across. I checked recently in a gun value book and I believe it was $400 something.

 

[devdotedad]

Will do Dave. And thanks too Kobra.
Regards,
eugene

 

[PJR]

The Sweet 16 is probably the most sought after Auto 5. The value according to my edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values for a Belgian-made, 16 gauge, Auto 5 in 100 percent condition is determined by the barrel configuration.

Plain Barrel--$525
Solid Matte Rib--$695
Ventilated Rib--$950

In the condition described which is NIB, unassembled, as it came from the factory, it could command a premium among collectors and people who worship this particular gun.

 

[Al Thompson]

Good answers - I'm sending this to Harley's forum.

Giz

 

[devdotedad]

Thanks a lot PJR. I just went upstairs to check it and it does have the ventilated rib, a gold trigger and some ingraving It even has a letter from Browning that states that the A5 ceased production in 1976 or so. I guess this one does not get taken to the range.
Again thanks for your help.
Regards,
Eugene

 

[devdotedad]

I hope i am not over extending my welcome, but one other question i have is: Any recomendations about extended storage of this firearm? Right now it looks pretty dry(no lubrication at all). I just wipe it throughly with a dry rag after handling it. Appreciate any suggestions.
Eugene

 

[PJR]

devoteddad:

Bruce Buck at Shotgun Report recently posted some advice on this subject. It can be found under the heading of "No Rust Again" at:

http://www.shotgunreport.com/TechTech/TechnoidArchive/22-Jan-01.html

The Sweet Sixteen was manufactured from 1950 to 1976 and did come with a gold plated trigger according to the Blue Book.

Your father-in-law gave you a very nice gift.

 

[devdotedad]

Again thank you PJR. Hopefully in some other way i can contribute to this board
Eugene