What is a browning 16 gauge automatic worth?

Answer 1

This is a frequent question on WikiAnswers. The question is very general, but to answer it as put, the answer would simply be "$300 to $2500 depending". Being singular, the question was probably meant to get a closer answer about a particular gun. In order to get a good answer on value, questions on WikiAnswers needs to be more specific. This is a guide to help you provide the information required when asking WikiAnswers about Browning Automatic Shotguns. Hopefully this will serve visitors to receive a more diffinitive answer when they enquire about their own Browning Auto-5. You need to know four things about your gun in order to get a reasonable answer. First: There are three different manufacturers of Browning Auto-5's: 1) Fabrique Nationale in Belgium 2) Remington (made) American Brownings 3) Miroku of Japan FN Belgium =1903 to 1976 Barrels say: Made in Belgium Remington =1940 to 1948 Barrels say made in USA Miroku =1976 to 1998 Barrels say made in Japan At this point you can identify if your 16ga is Belgian, American, or Japanese. Second: There are two basic models of the 16 ga.: 1) Standard Weight 2) Light Weight -better known as the Sweet 16. **The standard weight gun is NOT a sweet 16.** Not all Sweet sixteens have the name engraved on the receiver. Rule of thumb, If the trigger is gold, it is probably a sweet 16. If the trigger is blued, it is a standard weight. As an example: Now you have identified, that you probably have (lets say) a Belgian Standard weight 16ga Auto-5. Third: Now we need to identify the year that the gun was made. This is very important and plays a role in valuing a Browning. We do this by the serial number. The serial number is on the bottom the receiver. Some serial numbers have a letter above or preceding the numbers; This letter needs to be included with the serial number. American Brownings have the serial number on the left side of the receiver. You do not need to look up the date before asking WikiAnswers, just list the serial number with the question. Ok, so now we have a Belgian Standard weight 16 ga Auto-5 with serial number (lets say) X-327xx. (you can "ex" out the last two digits for security reasons) Fourth: Condition is required to get the estimate in the ball park. If you are experienced with grading firearms, then use a percentage such as 90-95% as an example. If you are new to this give a brief description such as: Used but works good / Very good shape with minor marks / Excellent condition - near new / New in Box or NIB. A general description is required for condition. Do your best to accurately describe the ammount of finish or general look of the gun. Also mention if it has a recoil pad or poly choke. Simply state : Has pad or Has poly. This also helps determine value. There we go. Now we have all the information to ask WikiAnsers a reasonable question. With our example gun, we should state the question as follows: Sample Question: "What is the age and value of a Belgian Browning 16ga Standard Weight gun in 80-90% finish with a pad - Serial Number X-327xx? Sample Answer: You have an Auto 5 made in 1949. 80-90% condition and should run in the $350-$600 range. Typically the pad would lower the value on guns with more finish, but at less than 90%, this gun is more of a shooter than collector, and the pad may or may not change the value. Typically pads decrease value by about 15-20% or more on mint or rare A5's. Remember this is a simple guide to date and value Auto 5's. The same idea would pertain to all firearm questions. The more informative the question, the more informative the answer will be. Thank you.