Browning Sweet 16 Serial No. Question

[Ithacaman]

Over the weekend, I went to the local gun show and had my best gun show trading day ever, coming home with three "new" items for the collection.

1. Ruger Super Blackhawk with 10-inch barrell.

2. Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherlight with Bausch & Lomb scope on Kuharsky Brothers mounts. I took it to the range today and it's a tack driver.

3. Belgian Browning Sweet 16 A-5.

My question or questions concern the shotgun. I have tried to pinpoint its date of manufacture with little success. I called up the Browning website; however, what I believe to be the serial number does not match what the website is telling me. What I believe to be the serial number is located on the bottom of the gun right in front of the shell feeding mechanism. The number contains one letter and five numerals, which does not fit any criteria on the Browning website. I have not been able to call up the manuel to confirm the exact location of the serial number. Then again, the Browning site is quirky and not the easiest to understand.

Can anyone offer any help on both counts?

 

[Flatfender]

That is the correct place for the serial number. I don't think you (or anyone) can figure out a Sweet 16 year from Brownings site.

Sweet 16s start or end with a "S" or start only with an "A"

If yours start with a letter, post the letter and the first couple of numbers and the last 2 as x's
Example: If yours is S12345 - post S123XX

If yours ends with a letter, post the last 2 numbers and the letter
Example: If yours is 12345S - post XXX45S

Belgium made Sweet 16s were made from 1953-1976
Japanese made ones were made 1987-1992 - There isn't any date info for these.