Ol’sweety is back

[FJB]

Belgium Browning Sweet 16. A gift from my Dad when I was 12 or so. He did the same for my 3 younger brothers when they hit about same age. Many ducks, doves, pheasants, squirrels and rabbits fell in front of her back in the day. Decided today for whatever reason to pull her from retirement and clean it up and then a function check. Still runs like she should after I had’nt fired her for over 50 years. Ran the serial today after cleaning her up. Made in 1931 though the Cutts was added at my Dad’s request before he gifted it to me. Dad is up in years and i may be getting sentimental in my old age but the pic and the story I thought may be worth sharing.

IMG_0573.jpeg (4.8 MiB) Viewed 1382 times

[Japhy]

That one is in fine shape and has the rib. Bluing looks great also Those things just work! That looks like a 30in full choke. Just perfect for ducks and pheasants! The speed load on those is a great feature that as far as I know is on no other.
Personally no shotgun ever fit me better than a Belgium Browning 12 I bought from an uncle.
Duck season is about now maybe time to get this out for a field trip

[FJB]

That one is in fine shape and has the rib. Bluing looks great also Those things just work! That looks like a 30in full choke. Just perfect for ducks and pheasants! The speed load on those is a great feature that as far as I know is on no other.
Personally no shotgun ever fit me better than a Belgium Browning 12 I bought from an uncle.
Duck season is about now maybe time to get this out for a field trip

Have a sporting clays event this Saturday. I normally shoot an old Savage 311a 20 SxS at that for the last 15 years or so but thinking I’ll bring the 16 this time just for something different. I like the old stuff!

[sakodude]

Beautiful old gun. The browning A-5's of the day were simply elegant!

[Wambli Ska]

I was gifted my wife's grandfather's 12gs Auto 5 from the 1940s by my Father-in-law. He was really like a father to me and as he got on in years he knew that when he passed I wouldn't get anything from his "estate" so he gave me both his father's guns, the Browning and an JC Higgins 30-06 Model 50 Belgian FN Commercial Mauser.

The first time I fired the Browning shooting Trap I figured out I just could not miss with that gun. They are one of Brownings best designs ever.

I love that yours has such a great family history and a 16ga is a NICE gun!!! Glad you got her out of retirement. She deserves to be shot.

[Freezer]

That is a beautiful work of art. Nice wood, classic design and 16 gauge! Shame on you for ignoring it for so long! Kudos for the restoration and resurrection.

[FJB]

Thanks all!
I plan to gift it to my son sooner rather than later.

[Gene L]

The Sweet 16 was The Gun when I was in high-school. The 16 ga. is a perfect size IMO. The 20 ga. improved has all but replaced it in frame size, but I love the 16.

[minnesotashooter]

Beautiful shotgun

[Elk Creek]

A beauty for sure!!

[Justsomedude]

That's beautiful. The A5's and the like just point like no other. Whatever you're looking at will be in the bead when you shoulder it.

[FJB]

Quick update, benefit sporting clays shoot today went great. The Sweet 16 went through a 100 round course with no malfunction whatsoever. Can’t say the same for the operator though! My eyes and reflexes ain’t what they use to be but it was great being out with her. Brought back a lot of memories except the missing part! Barely managed 60 but that wasn’t her fault!