Can anyone tell me what year this Sweet 16 Auto-5 was made, & what would be a good price for the gun with a plain matte barrel with modified choke (not a ventilated rib). The condition is at least 98%.

Found this on the web. Hopefully it will help.

1947 Post war Belgium made “X Prefix Series.” No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. This is the “unmarked” Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen.

These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 ¾ inch chambered 16 gauge. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. The popularity and success of the Sweet Sixteen from 1937 through 1947 earned it a permanent place in Browning marketing as the 1948 engraved “Sweet Sixteen.” 1947 is also the only year the 3 shot 2 ¾ 16ga was marketed in the USA. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself.

1947 – 1953 “X Prefix Series”
1947: X1001 - X13666
1948: X13667 - X23501
1949: X23502 – X34600
1950: X34601 – X43700
1951: X43701 – X59400
1952: X59401 - X77700
1953: X77701 – X99999

I would have guessed way too low, since I haven't been looking at them for a long time (sweet 16 was my first real shotgun). Based on GB prices and conditions, and assuming your grading is m/l correct, I would not hesitate to ask at least $1250 for it. There are cheaper ones out there, but they are mostly in much worse condition.

If that's too high, you can always drop it, hard to go up.

Frank, you own a shotgun with only one barrel?

No, a guy is trying to sell me his old Sweet 16.

That was my grand dad's favourite shotgun!

He used it almost daily for so many years!

I have two Light Twelve Browning Auto-5's, but have never had one in 16 gauge.