Browning Sweet Sixteen Serial Number Lookup
Collector Reference · Belgian FN Production · 1937–1976
The Browning Sweet Sixteen is the lightweight 16-gauge variant of the legendary Auto-5 shotgun. Produced by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium from 1937 to 1976, the Sweet Sixteen is distinguished from the standard-weight 16-gauge Auto-5 by its trimmer receiver, lighter barrel, and — starting in late 1953 — the letter S worked into the serial number. This guide covers all three Belgian serial number coding eras and includes a quick lookup tool to estimate your gun's production year.
Look Up Your Sweet Sixteen
Estimated Year
Era / Format
Collector Note
How to read this result: Production year estimates are based on published collector references and FN production data. Actual ship dates may vary — guns were sometimes warehoused before reaching dealers. For definitive dates, contact Browning Arms Company with your serial number.
How to Read Your Serial Number
Era 1 · Late 1953–1957
"S" Prefix
S = Sweet Sixteen model code
31582 = Sequential production number
Era 2 · 1958–1967
Single-Digit Year + S
6 = Year digit (1966)
S = Sweet Sixteen
59455 = Sequential number
Era 3 · 1968–1976
Two-Digit Year + S
71 = Year (1971)
S = Sweet Sixteen
5103 = Sequential number
Early 16-Gauge Sequence (1909–1937)
The Sweet Sixteen shared the general 16-gauge FN serial number sequence through 1936. Early Sweet Sixteens (1937–1953) also fall within this continuous sequence.
| Year | Serial Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1909 | 1 – 3,200 | 16-gauge sequence begins at FN |
| 1910–1913 | 3,201 – 15,000 | Last pre-WWI shipment: SN 19,642 |
| 1915–1918 | — | No production; German occupation of Belgium |
| 1919 | 19,671 – 20,500 | Production resumes post-WWI |
| 1920 | 20,501 – 22,237 | |
| 1921 | 22,238 – 24,050 | |
| 1922 | 24,051 – 26,000 | |
| 1923 | 26,001 – 28,400 | Barrel address: Browning Arms Co., Ogden, Utah |
| 1924 | 28,401 – 35,650 | |
| 1925 | 35,651 – 40,010 | |
| 1926 | 40,011 – 51,600 | |
| 1927 | 51,601 – 57,900 | |
| 1928 | 57,901 – 65,100 | |
| 1929 | 65,101 – 82,750 | Ventilated rib option added |
| 1930 | 82,751 – 90,500 | Address: Browning Arms Co., St. Louis, MO |
| 1931 | 90,501 – 94,000 | |
| 1932 | 94,001 – 96,072 | Three-shot "Auto 3" variant introduced |
| 1933 | 96,073 – 96,143 | |
| 1934 | 96,144 – 99,500 | Receiver legend updated with J.M. Browning bust |
| 1935 | 99,501 – 103,500 | |
| 1936 | 103,501 – 105,850 | Sweet Sixteen released — test market only |
| 1937 | 105,851 – onwards | Sweet Sixteen publicly available; no separate serial sequence yet |
S-Prefix Era (Late 1953–1957)
Beginning in late 1953, FN assigned the "S" prefix exclusively to Sweet Sixteen production. The R-prefix designated the heavier standard-weight 16-gauge, discontinued in 1966.
| Period | Approx. Serial Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1953 | S 1 – S 3,700 | S-prefix introduced approximately November 1953 |
| 1954 (early) | S 3,701 – S 10,950 | Midyear checkpoint: S10950 = June 30, 1954 |
| 1954 (late) | S 10,951 – S 24,850 | Year-end checkpoint: S24850 = December 31, 1954 |
| 1955 (early) | S 24,851 – S 36,100 | Midyear checkpoint: S36100 = June 30, 1955 |
| 1955 (late) | S 36,101 – S ~55,000 | Approximate; consult Shirley/Vanderlinden for precision |
| 1956 | S ~55,001 – S ~80,000 | Approximate |
| 1957 | S ~80,001 – end | Final year of S-prefix coding; year-code system adopted 1958 |
Year-Code Eras (1958–1976)
In 1958, FN switched to embedding the year directly in the serial number. From 1958–1967, a single digit preceded the S; from 1968, two digits were used.
| Year | Code Prefix | Example | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 8S | 8S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1959 | 9S | 9S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1960 | 0S | 0S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1961 | 1S | 1S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1962 | 2S | 2S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1963 | 3S | 3S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1964 | 4S | 4S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1965 | 5S | 5S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1966 | 6S | 6S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1967 | 7S | 7S XXXXX | Single-digit year |
| 1968 | 68S | 68S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1969 | 69S | 69S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1970 | 70S | 70S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1971 | 71S | 71S 5103 | Two-digit year |
| 1972 | 72S | 72S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1973 | 73S | 73S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1974 | 74S | 74S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1975 | 75S | 75S XXXXX | Two-digit year |
| 1976 | 76S | 76S XXXXX | Final year of Belgian FN production |
How to Identify a Sweet Sixteen — Physical Markers
The serial number tells you when; these physical features confirm what. A genuine Sweet Sixteen can be identified by several engineering differences from the standard-weight 16-gauge Auto-5.
Receiver Milling
Two mill cuts on each side at the bottom of the receiver near the loading port — a hallmark of the lightweight frame.
Barrel Ring
Three lightening holes drilled through the barrel ring (standard-weight guns have a solid ring).
Rib Width
Narrower ventilated rib than 12-gauge counterparts.
Stock
Interior of the stock is milled out to reduce weight by several ounces.
Weight
Typically 6 lbs. 8 oz. to 6 lbs. 12 oz. — noticeably lighter than a standard-weight 16-gauge.
Markings
Post-1937 guns are rollmarked "Sweet Sixteen" on the receiver; very early guns (1936–early 1937) may not carry this marking.
Safety
Early Sweet Sixteens have a front-trigger-guard safety; post-WWII guns have the rear safety tang.
"S" Receiver
Look for the S code stamped or embedded in the serial number on post-1953 guns.
Collector Notes — What to Know Before You Buy
- The Sweet Sixteen was discontinued by FN in 1976. Belgian examples from the 1950s and 1960s are the most sought-after by collectors, particularly those with matching original barrels and clean walnut.
- Do not apply the 12-gauge A5 serial number chart to a 16-gauge — the sequences started independently and will produce incorrect dates.
- A gun with an "R" prefix (not "S") is a Standard Weight 16-gauge, which is heavier and a different model. The Standard Weight was discontinued in 1966.
- Guns shipped from FN to Browning could sit in warehouse before reaching consumers. Browning can sometimes provide the ship date for a specific serial number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting in late 1953, Fabrique Nationale used the letter "S" as a model code for the Sweet Sixteen. Before 1953, Sweet Sixteens did not have a separate code and shared the general 16-gauge sequence. If your serial has a number-S prefix (like 6S or 71S), those digits indicate the year of manufacture.
The Sweet Sixteen is a lightweight variant — FN milled out the receiver sides, drilled the barrel ring, trimmed the rib, and hollowed the stock interior to reduce weight. A genuine Sweet Sixteen runs about 6¾ lbs., roughly 9–11 oz. lighter than the standard-weight 16-gauge.
That format (S-prefix only) dates your gun to late 1953 through 1957. In 1958, FN switched to embedding the year digit before the S. Use the S-Prefix chart above to narrow down the production period.
Belgian FN production ended in 1976. Miroku in Japan did manufacture Sweet Sixteen shotguns for a period after that, though the model was eventually discontinued in the early 1990s. Japanese-made guns will typically have "Made in Japan" on the barrel and use a different serial number format.
Value depends on condition, originality, era, and whether the original barrel is present. Belgian guns from the 1950s in excellent condition with matching barrels are generally the most desirable to collectors. Check recent auction results at Rock Island Auction or similar for current market values.