FN Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen Lightweight Grade I 16 Ga, 27.5 in Plain Barrel, Belgian-Made Semi-Automatic Shotgun
This Belgian-made FN Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen Lightweight Grade I combines John Browning’s long-recoil action with weight-saving cuts, a 16-gauge chambering, and factory scroll engraving. Its polished blued finish, gold-plated trigger, and round-knob walnut stock make it a standout example for shooters and collectors alike.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Specific Condition Notes: There is minor finish loss on the receiver and barrel, and light scratches on the walnut stock and fore-end.
What’s Included
- Original Browning Auto-5 owner's manual
- Newer Browning Auto-5 owner's manual (reprint)
Built on the classic hump-back receiver, this Sweet Sixteen provides an extended sighting plane and houses Browning’s proven long-recoil system. The 27.5-inch Special Steel barrel features a plain, matted top and a single brass bead for quick target acquisition.
As a Lightweight variant, the gun incorporates internal lightening cuts, making it easier to carry without sacrificing the Auto-5’s renowned reliability. The receiver wears factory scroll engraving, adding visual appeal while retaining the clean Grade I profile.
The 16-gauge, 2¾-inch chamber feeds from a four-round tubular magazine. A magazine cut-off lever allows rapid unloading or safe handling at the range or in the field.
A gold-plated trigger and round-knob pistol-grip walnut stock—complete with cut checkering and a black, molded hard-rubber/composition buttplate bearing the raised “AUTOMATIC” logo—are hallmark Sweet Sixteen touches. Belgian proof marks on the barrel confirm its Liège origin, and serial S69341 falls within FN’s 1956 Sweet Sixteen block, though some records reference 1928 pre-WWII manufacture.
This shotgun remains collectible for its combination of lightweight design, factory engraving, and the enduring appeal of Browning’s Auto-5 platform.