Sweet Sixteens

Discussion in 'Browning Auto A-5' started by Rudolph31, Aug 4, 2015.

  1. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Looking over this thread I thought I'd point out a few changes made over the years.

    In 1948 there were two, the words "TRADE MARK" were replaced with a circled "R", and the words "Sweet Sixteen" were engraved on the receiver. But evidently not at the same time, as my '48 has the first but not the second change.

    In 1951 the front safety went away in favor of the cross bolt. I'm indifferent to which style is used except on Sweet Sixteens (and early Light Twelves) as I really like the look of the gold safety paired with a golden trigger.
  2. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

  3. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Bump.
    Last edited: May 19, 2018
  4. SHOOTER13

    SHOOTER13 Guest

  5. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    A while back I had Art’s refinish the stock on the 1948 as the checkering was worn flat. I finally took some pictures.

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2018
  6. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    A few weeks ago the ‘48 came out of the display case to the Skeet field. In the middle of the 2nd round the Carrier button stopped working. I had to trip the bolt with my pocket knife.

    I disassembled the gun at home, thinking I had a bad Carrier Latch. But it turned out the Magazine Follower was poking too far out of the Mag, holding the front of the latch flush against the Receiver. The “skirt” that prevents this had split.

    [​IMG]
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  7. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    MGW has the part in stock for $9.99, but I asked my jeweler friend if he could weld it. If you didn’t know, it seems that jewelers can make or fix just about anything.

    Before:

    [​IMG]




    After:

    [​IMG]
  8. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    My friend keeps impressing me with his abilities. I said he must use the world’s smallest welding rod, and his reply was “Indeed” along with this picture:

    [​IMG]
  9. Troy Fields

    Troy Fields .22LR


    New to the group here. How common is the solid rib on the Sweet Sixteen?
  10. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    I can’t really answer you except to say that I haven’t seen one. Ribs were an option of doubtful utility and I haven’t seen many on Auto-5’s. That said, Sweet Sixteen ribs were narrower than standard at .280” tapering to .260” vs. .335”/.317”.
  11. Troy Fields

    Troy Fields .22LR

    okay, Thank you. I have one with a solid rib, numbers date it to be 1958. I will post some photos later today or tomorrow. Thanks again.
    Rudolph31 likes this.
  12. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Great! And by the way, welcome to the forum.
  13. Troy Fields

    Troy Fields .22LR

    swt 16 2.jpg swt 16 1.jpg swt 16 2.jpg swt 16 3.jpg swt 16 4.jpg swt 16 5.jpg
    swt 16 1.jpg
    jlp and Rudolph31 like this.
  14. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    Beautiful gun. I noticed that the rear corners of the ejection port are square. Supposedly they went to round corners in ‘58. Is yours a low serial number?
  15. Troy Fields

    Troy Fields .22LR

    You certainly know your stuff. I rechecked the serial number S 10651, thinking 1954?
  16. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    I get 1954. A lot of design changes occurred in 1958, but I wasn’t sure that all guns from that year got all the modifications.
  17. Beautiful gun for sure.
  18. Auzzie

    Auzzie 20g

    Your Jewler buddy has done a nice neat repair on the follower. Very impressive has a good eye and steady hand.
    Rudolph31 likes this.
  19. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    You should see him shoot!
    Auzzie likes this.

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