A family friend's father passed away a couple weeks ago. He did not have life insurance. She is trying to sell some stuff to settle his estate.

Among the items is a Browning Sweet 16. I don't know anything about them.
I know that the right one can be valuable but I don't know how to tell them apart.
I am asking for help to ID this shotgun and to come up with a fair selling price.
This is not a sales thread. She will likely sell it locally.

I snapped a few photos of it. Can somebody please help me with information?
Thanks in advance.









Barrel markings:

Poly choke hurts value....I'd say around $550 +/-........Sadly humpbacks have fallen from favor as gas/inertia guns are in vogue now.......

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S&W Accumulator

It is an older gun, I didn't check the SN date but probably early '50s. The poly choke, which was all in vogue in the '50s/'60s, is obsolete now. The pictures didn't show all of the butt so couldn't tell if it has a recoil pad; if so, that negatively impacts price as well. The other thing I always check on A5s is to make sure the forearm is not cracked. These have a friction ring system which needed to be adjusted for different strength shells. If it wasn't, the recoil often cracked the forearms. I agree with Mike that the old A5s do not have the following they once did but the Sweet Sixteens in original condition with open choke ventilated barrels will still bring $1500+. Agree with the $550 estimate given the polychoke; might be worth a bit more to someone with an uncut barrel looking for a decent receiver and stock. Wonderful guns, I still use one whenever I make it to Kansas pheasant hunting. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I agree with mike this on one. Let it slide unless you just want one to shoot skeet. The polly choke kills the value. I bought one with ventalited rid that was in high condition at the beginning of 2015. I paid $1200.00 for. One with the box and papers at high condition would bring $3000 or higher. I have personally witnessed this at auction. They are still desirable and highly collectible I M O.But the polly choke shoots it dead in the bed for me. I think most collectors want the ventalited rib. At least this one does.

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S&WCA #3012

You might also ask the question here:

16 ga.

and/or compare set up and condition with guns listed for sale there. Many of the people at this site are interested in shooter-grade guns and would not necessarily see the Poly-Choke as a deal breaker. You might be more likely to find a fan of the older Brownings there than in your LGS.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I agree with $550 on value, if every thing else is ok. That is shooter grade/ choke. My family hunts with A5s and M12 Wins.
The market for shooters in both these guns has fallen a good bit.
The best Auto and best Pump ever made, the collector grade guns still bring the money. Shooters in 16g are not as popular as
12s and 20s are a bit more than 12s.

I had a Sweet Sixteen that was very close to yours in serial number, as new in hard case with papers that went for $900 after three cycles at auction.

Also had a Magnum Twelve in same condition that went for triple what the Sixteen sold for in two days.

The market is a bit fickle when it comes to A5's and 16ga is definitely on the back side of the curve.

I think $550 is a good bet. One sold on Gunbroker with a poly choke in much worse condition for $299.99.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/613449103

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

When it comes to the best `12gr pump shotgun , I fav the winchester M1897 . The one I have hung behind the counter in my uncles beer joint for many yrs . When he sold , I got the gun . a real sweet shooter .