Browning Auto 5 20 Gauge Serial Numbers

I have a 1969 Browning A5 20 gauge, The serial number starts 69Z-XXXXX. The 'Z' is the question, The browning site shows that a 'G' or 'M' should follow the mfg. Date indicating a Lightweight or Standard model. May 16, 2016 - Auto-5 serial numbers ran concurrently for the 12 gauge until 1957. After that Browning imports used letter prefixes to differentiate the various.

This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only. Browning 12ga numbers began with number 1 in 1903. The 16ga number 1 began in 1909. The two sets of numbers are different. A common mistake I have seen in many, many, gun shops and online sites is to assign the 12ga serial number date to a 16ga. I compiled this quick reference serial number guide for dating 16ga Browning A5s and the Auto 5-3 Shot, by serial number. I decided to share it here since this is where much of my limited knowledge came from.

The serial number and dates are approximations only. These dates were gleaned primarily from Sauerfan's timeline and the Shirley/Vanderlinden book. Details about dates, transitions, exceptions, and other nuances can be found in the Shirley/Vanderlinden book, Browning Auto 5 Shotguns. I took the liberty to use the Calandar Year Jan. 31 for the X series.

FN used the Fiscal Year July-June. Other factors need to be taken into consideration to properly date your gun.

I found what I thought was a very early 1948 Sweet Sixteen based on the serial number. Browning informed me the gun left the factory in 1955. 1909 1 - 3200 1910 to 1914 There is only vague info about 16 ga SNs in SV (page 74) for the time 1910 to 1914. SNs 3201 – 15000 were invoiced between 1st Jan. 1910 and 30th June 1913.

Last shipped before the outbreak of WWI was SN 19642. 1915 to 1918 No production due to German occupation of Belgium during WWI. 1919: 19671-: 20501 -: 22238 -: 24051 – Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY OGDEN UTAH BROWNING’S PATENT 26001 –: 28401 -: 35651 – 40010 (app.) 1926: 40011 (app.) -: 51601 -: 57901 – Ventilated barrel rib (as an option) and barrel address change to 'Ogden Utah and St Louis Mo. ' 65101 – Barrel Address (US market) BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO.

New choke codes replaced the choke words stamped on the barrels. 82751 – 90501 – Introduction of the three shot Auto 3 with shorter magazine tube and shorter forearm marked “Browning 3 Shot” 94001 – 96073 – Receiver legend Now with BROWNING and John M. Browning’s bust between “TRADE” and “MARK” 96144 – 99501 - 1 The 'Sweet Sixteen' was released but limited to a test market. 103501 – 105850 *1937* Introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen” sale to the public. Belousova le konspekti zanyatij po razvitiyu rechi. Barrel Rib four possibilities in 1937: none, solid (hollow) rib, ventilated rib with X posts or matted finish for Sweet Sixteen (SV page 98) Barrel Ring as before or drilled with three holes on the barrels of Sweet Sixteen Safety Gold plated (Sweet Sixteen only) Trigger Gold plated (Sweet Sixteen only) Misc. “Sweet Sixteen” not separated by SN.

No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5s. 105850 – 1: 111001 – 1: 118201 – 1: 126124 – 126175 ****1940 – 1953**** 'A' Prefix serial number on the side of the receiver, American made Browning by “Remington Arms.” 1944-1948 Post war Liberation guns, Serial number 146 'are so out of sequence there is no way to establish accurate production dates' S/V p76 [b] 1944: 1: 1 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.

These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 ¾ inch chambered 16 gauge. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved “Sweet Sixteen.” 1947 is also the only year the 3 shot 2 ¾ 16ga was marketed in the USA. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself. 1947 – 1953 “X Prefix Series” 1947: X1001 - X: X13667 - X: X23502 – X: X34601 – X: X43701 – X: X59401 - X: X77701 – X Introduction of the “Sweet Sixteen” in script engraved on the receiver. Prior to 1948 no sweet 16 was factory engraved “Sweet Sixteen.” Glen Jensen, Browning Historian took the position with me that the true “Sweet Sixteen” was born when the receiver was engraved “Sweet Sixteen” in 1948.