Value of Granddad's Browning 16 guage?

zzzman247 · March 24, 2011, 04:51 PM

Anyone know the approximate value of a Belgium made Browning 16 guage shotgun, automatic, st'd weight, no engaving, with pad, good condition and shoots well, serial number 254XX? Thanks!

BigJimP · March 24, 2011, 05:57 PM

In my opinion / value is about the same as the 12ga in your link above ...around $ 300.

These days a 16ga is less desireable than a 12ga ...because today, we have more shell options for a 12ga ...( in 1 oz of shot, etc )..so balistically, you can make a 12ga behave just like a 16ga ( or a 20ga , etc )....

Up until the 1970's - everyone had a "duck gun", and a "pheasant gun" ..and a "grouse gun" ...etc ..../ because it was before we had screw in chokes / and before we had so many options with commercial shells.

Rembrandt · March 24, 2011, 06:48 PM

Belgium made "Sweet Sixteens" have become highly collectible.....I've seen some go for $900-to-$3000. Condition is everything. The 16's are bringing more than 12's primarily because there were fewer made.

oneounceload · March 24, 2011, 08:25 PM

You can check out CLOSED auctions on Gunbroker to see what similar guns have sold for.

Whatever the monetary value, it shouldn't compare to the family sentimental value

bailey bud · March 24, 2011, 09:42 PM

No more than $100 --- but I would be happy to take it off your hands for $200. ....

BigJimP · March 25, 2011, 03:06 PM

Wow values of $ 900 - $ 3,000 is way out of the ball-park based on what I see around here ...and what I see on GunBroker...

Its not a scientific test ....but as near as I can tell, there are about 167 Browning Auto 5's on GunBroker for sale right now ... and about 15 of the 167guns for sale are 16ga versions. There is not a single bid on any of the 15 guns ( in 16ga ) that I could see on GunBroker ...and I didn't fuss with the search options too much / but I didn't see any sold recently either.

I didn't run a spreadsheet or anything on the pricing ....but it seems to me that a lot of them were up for sale for under $ 600 ....and a few were
$ 1,200 or more too ...but just like my buddy in the used gun business locally ....he says he has a bunch of them he can't sell ( mostly 12ga ) ...and he sure doesn't want anymore of them in his inventory / unless they come in as a trade / where he can move something else.

I hope you keep these guns and enjoy them ....don't sell them ...

jhog1 · March 28, 2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

These days a 16ga is less desirable than a 12ga ...

I have found exactly the opposite to be true. 16 20 or 28 always bring more money

Quote:

Belgium made "Sweet Sixteen’s" have become highly collectible.....I've seen some go for $900-to-$3000.

Being a 16 ga auto-5 doesn't automatically make it a sweet sixteen

zippy13 · March 28, 2011, 10:35 AM

Are there collectors who're after non-Sweet 16-ga Auto-5s?

zzzman247 · March 28, 2011, 11:53 AM

Again I appreciate all the responses and wish I could keep them but divorce attorneys aren't cheap. LOL. This gives me an idea as to what I should sell these at. Thanks.

BigJimP · March 28, 2011, 11:57 AM

Like I said in the 12ga thread ....values vary a lot by region on these old Auto 5's . With the slings attached ( and the holes the rings made ) it devalues these guns for true "collectors".

I suggest you find a good local retailer - and put them on consignment / see if you can get some buyers to make you an offer. I'm not sure we helped you much on the 16ga - since we have such a variety of opinions ....but I think that's part of the issue on the Auto 5's ....some people love them / some people hate them ...and you have to find the buyer that has to have one of them / or both of them ...

Good Luck.

March 28, 2011, 11:53 AM	#9
zzzman247 Junior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 4	Thanks Again I appreciate all the responses and wish I could keep them but divorce attorneys aren't cheap. LOL. This gives me an idea as to what I should sell these at. Thanks.

March 24, 2011, 05:57 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	In my opinion / value is about the same as the 12ga in your link above ...around $ 300. These days a 16ga is less desireable than a 12ga ...because today, we have more shell options for a 12ga ...( in 1 oz of shot, etc )..so balistically, you can make a 12ga behave just like a 16ga ( or a 20ga , etc ).... Up until the 1970's - everyone had a "duck gun", and a "pheasant gun" ..and a "grouse gun" ...etc ..../ because it was before we had screw in chokes / and before we had so many options with commercial shells.

March 24, 2011, 06:48 PM	#3
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Belgium made "Sweet Sixteens" have become highly collectible.....I've seen some go for $900-to-$3000. Condition is everything. The 16's are bringing more than 12's primarily because there were fewer made.

March 24, 2011, 08:25 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You can check out CLOSED auctions on Gunbroker to see what similar guns have sold for. Whatever the monetary value, it shouldn't compare to the family sentimental value

March 24, 2011, 09:42 PM	#5
bailey bud Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Location: 1.5 miles above insanity Posts: 259	No more than $100 --- but I would be happy to take it off your hands for $200. ....

March 25, 2011, 03:06 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Wow values of $ 900 - $ 3,000 is way out of the ball-park based on what I see around here ...and what I see on GunBroker... Its not a scientific test ....but as near as I can tell, there are about 167 Browning Auto 5's on GunBroker for sale right now ... and about 15 of the 167guns for sale are 16ga versions. There is not a single bid on any of the 15 guns ( in 16ga ) that I could see on GunBroker ...and I didn't fuss with the search options too much / but I didn't see any sold recently either. I didn't run a spreadsheet or anything on the pricing ....but it seems to me that a lot of them were up for sale for under $ 600 ....and a few were $ 1,200 or more too ...but just like my buddy in the used gun business locally ....he says he has a bunch of them he can't sell ( mostly 12ga ) ...and he sure doesn't want anymore of them in his inventory / unless they come in as a trade / where he can move something else. I hope you keep these guns and enjoy them ....don't sell them ...

March 28, 2011, 10:35 AM	#8
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Are there collectors who're after non-Sweet 16-ga Auto-5s?

March 28, 2011, 11:57 AM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Like I said in the 12ga thread ....values vary a lot by region on these old Auto 5's . With the slings attached ( and the holes the rings made ) it devalues these guns for true "collectors". I suggest you find a good local retailer - and put them on consignment / see if you can get some buyers to make you an offer. I'm not sure we helped you much on the 16ga - since we have such a variety of opinions ....but I think that's part of the issue on the Auto 5's ....some people love them / some people hate them ...and you have to find the buyer that has to have one of them / or both of them ... Good Luck.