In addition to the above, the X prefix also designates the change from the previous 65mm (2 9/16) to the present 70mm (2 3/4) chamber length. Browning Engraved on the bottom of the receiver will be the serial number. see Browning Website Available in type 1, 2 and 3. Post 1958 manufacture dates. Morgan, UT 84050 Look at the bottom of the shotgun receiver. Sun Oct 05, 2014 5:02 am. The American Browning's serial number is on the left side of the receiver instead of on the bottom, and it has a prefix. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. If it was an all original unmarked 5 hole, Sweet Sixteen, 3 Shot in excellent condition a collector may pay $2,000.00 +. Only 1,000 of these were produced in a high-grade wood. 8M=standard weight for 1958. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself. at the start of each year. L=Light Weight. Sweet 16 guns manufactured in 1940 through 1946 will have the letter "A," the year of manufacture, plus a number between 229,000 and 237,000. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The serial number will begin with 01001, followed by two letters, and end in 221. Brand new Ducks Unlimited Browning A-5 Sweet Sixteen (16Ga). Ive never even assembled it. Nov. 26, 1926 SERIAL NUMBER #X755xx located under the receiver in front of the loading gate. On most over and under shotguns this should be situated under the top lever and on Semi-Autos somewhere on the receiver In the Serial number there are two letters together - This is your date code. (Sweet 16) & Standard weight guns. According to what the Blue Book says and Zrexxer stated about his Sweet, I would say yours was made in early '58. H=Standard Weight. The Auto-5 will be discontinued for 2000. Our site uses JavaScript for a smooth and modern shopping experience; we protect your data and never sell it to 3rd parties. There's always a transition period so yours probably isn't the only one like that. Just picked up a 1969 sweet sixteen. ?????? Not a sweet 16 but been in the family for a long time. It is a bit of a game with my very old Luigi Franchi for stock repairs. http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php sc&start=0. For guns made after World War II, serial numbers or a combination of letters and numbers will aim you to the manufacturing year. If you own one of these guns and it has a letter in the serial number, your gun would have been made after 1953 and the letter is a code that represents; G = Lightweight, M = Standard Weight, V = 12 Gauge Magnum, S = Sweet Sixteen and; X = 20 Gauge. H=Standard Weight. In 1957 - 58 the prefix was "A" for the Sweet 16 lightweight and "T" for the standard weight 16 ga. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Wow. The guns made during this time period were again stamped with a "G," a serial number starting at 1,000, and also bearing the last two digits of the year it was made. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The two sets of numbers are different. Taisho/Showa. This is the unmarked Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen. How do I find the year of proof on my Browning? In 1999 Browning issued the "Final Tribute" version featuring engraved scenes of John M. Browning, the F.N. A Judith, COOPER, Mary (publisher).Travels of Tom Thumb, 24" ABG 1362 Made in Germany 3 1/2. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I owned two Sweet 16's when I was in my late 20's - early 30's, but I don't remember anything about the pressure plug adjustments. KW 08/23/22 BROWNING A5 "SWEET SIXTEEN" 16 ga., 27 1/2" bbl, IM choke Made in Belgium Stock # 08150022 Serial # 2S92564 Made in 1962 Sun Oct 19, 2014 1:51 pm. I guess you are the A-5 man about these parts. Sun Oct 19, 2014 7:14 pm. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Here is a mid 1960s version of Browning's iconic Sweet Sixteen, the 16 gauge Auto-5 shotgun. The Browning Auto-5 Sweet 16 lightweight, 16-gauge shotgun, began production in 1937 and it ran through 1992. "SWEET 16" - 1961, 99% FACTORY ORIGINAL CONDITION. The production of the Auto-5 began in 1902. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected. From 1940 to 1946 production of the Auto-5 was turned over to Remington. The 12 month average price is $1,869.33 new and $1,471.22 used. What percentage of offspring would be expected to have short whiskers? Look at the serial number on the receiver of your shotgun. JavaScript is not enabled on your browser - our site will not work for you as intended. Don Balke (B. 2023 GunBroker.com, LLC. A Sweet 16 shotgun made in 1976 will have the code 01001RT221, with RT representing the year 1976. I do know someone locally but will keep Art in mind. "ABC" for American made Version. 1101 Mason Circle Drive Pevely, MO 63070 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:00pm CST, 2023 Midwest Gun Works, Inc. - All Rights Reserved. The serial number coding system changed to the serial number preceding the date code. When did the Browning Sweet Sixteen come out in America? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 What is the serial number on a Browning A5 Sweet 16? Sweet 16 guns manufactured in 1940 through 1946 will have the letter A, the year of manufacture, plus a number between 229,000 and 237,000. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The 1946-8 unmarked Sweet Sixteen don't have the speed load feature which hurts value for some. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 inch chambered 16 gauge. Attributed to William Wendt (California, AREA RUG - 31" x 60" - Circa 1890-1900 hooked. Now that you've verified that you have a Sweet 16, rather than a standard 16-gauge shotgun, follow the rest of the steps to find when it was manufactured. What is the year of manufacture on a Sweet 16? What is the difference between Browning 12ga and 16ga? 1 What is the serial number on a Browning A5 Sweet 16? Simmons vent rib, outstanding high grade figured wood, recoil pad, and Cutts compensator. It kicks to much with 2 3/4" baby magnums. Here are 3 of the 7 pics sent. No. Guns made in 1952 will have a serial number between 346,001 and 387,000. The information you provided was used to properly identify the information below. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge, C=20 gauge). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Are Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon still married? The Browning A5 or Auto-5 was patented in 1900. . Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:26 am. shootbrownelk. When did the Browning Sweet Sixteen come out in America? Serial Number designation for the Light Weight changed to G. Serial Numbering System changed again. Exact production figures are not available. July 16, 2013 Thank you for your interest in our Firearms Appraisal service. Posted: How can you tell what year a Sweet 16 shotgun is? This would be a Auto-5 "Final Tribute" 12 ga., manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 1001. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The serial number coding system changed to the serial number preceding the date code. Was looking at barrel markings and looks like it has the letter i on the barrel which I believe is 1970. Browning A5 Sweet 16 Shotgun Review Travis Introduces The New Green Top Exclusive Browning A5 Shotgun with 24" Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo Browning A5 Friction Ring Setup Remington Model 8:. 9 What was the last year of the Browning Sweet Sixteen? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I am having a hard time believing what the Browning Historian just told you. I can see why these guns have always been so popular, almost iconic in the handling characteristics and visual appearance. It appears that you are accessing the Browning Website from outside North America. So, if I have a 16 gauge and the serial number starts with X561, that is a 1951, correct? Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:18 am, Serial nos match and it has a simons rib chambered for 70 mm shells I will get some pics today, Posted: Born in 1855, John M. Browning dedicated his life to inventing revolutionary firearms that were desitned to shape the future. M=Standard Weight. How can you tell what year a Sweet 16 shotgun is? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By Bruce Buck I n spite of the somewhat similar names and humpback look, Browning's new A5 Sweet Sixteen. Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself. Can't find an "X" serial number on Brownings site. However, the earliest date a 16 gauge was completed and accepted was serial number X1019 . Oct. 15, 1923 The first of two patents were filed on the Superposed Over/Under shotgun. G=Light Weight. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. These are among the rarest of the A5 Sweet Sixteen but are priced as standard 16 gauge A5s in value guides. Got a sweet sixteen with serial @ X65429. Posted: And Sweet 16s manufactured in 1953 will have a serial number from 387,001 to 438,000. Wed May 20, 2015 6:36 am, Posted: I have a 1953 12 gauge and the serial number on the barrel ring matches the receiver but is off by 4 on the extension. morngstar, thank you for that very informative post on a favorite subject. . In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. 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 16ga was marketed in the USA. Exact production figures are not available. This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only. The owner said the barrel was modified by a Browning to add a ring between the barrel and receiver so that it shoots 2 3/4 ammo. 1947 Post war Belgium made X Prefix Series. No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. If it doesn't have Sweet Sixteen engraved on the side it's a standard weight A-5 16 ga. Browning Sweet Sixteen, 16 gauge Auto-5 shotgun, made in Belgium. Sell your browning sweet 16 for FREE today on GunsAmerica! For example, a Sweet 16 with a serial number of 2G87,908 would mean it was manufactured in 1962. Marked with "BROWNING AUTOMATIC ARMS CO. OGDEN UTAH-U.S.A." Very few serial number records remain. 2 3/4 inch chamber. I am not familiar with this gun or any antique shotguns. On most over and under shotguns this should be situated under the top lever and on Semi-Autos somewhere on the receiver. I am sorry to ask a silly question. WI/IL. BROWNING SERIALIZATION 1975 TO CURRENT: In 1975 Browning began using the two (2) letter code system (located in the middle of the serial number) for determining the year of manufacture. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A very beautiful shooter grade unmarked Sweet Sixteen. Perhaps add it as a post to the timeline thread, like Martin did with the proofmark info. He offers some great services. It also has a choke "thingy" and a new pressure plug? Sweet 16 guns manufactured in 1940 through 1946 will have the letter A, the year of manufacture, plus a number between 229,000 and 237,000. This is because Browning guns made from 1903 through 1939 were simply numbered in numeric order rather than given a serial number to denote the year in which they were made. The 16ga number 1 began in 1909. 186. Factory and the Browning Brothers first store. Description, Lot of 10: Bisque and China Dolls. 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 16ga was marketed in the USA. It is Belgium made, flat safety, vented barrel, recoil pad. I compiled this quick reference serial number guide . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How did they name the beaches at Normandy? In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of Auto-5: In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998. Guns manufactured in 1956 will have the letter G, followed by a number between 1 and 23,000. Browning 12ga numbers began with the number 1 in 1903. But Trump is the traitor. Will pick it up later this week. Serial number is on the side of receiver. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As a shooter some will love the upgraded fancy wood and Simmons vent rib/choke. Seller Description. A for 16 gauge, B for 12, and C for 20. Hi, Welcome to SGW. The two sets of numbers are different. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:53 pm, The 5 hole barrel ring seemed to be a first generation Sweet Sixteen. Browning Sweet Sixteen Shotgun Two-Barrel Browning Sweet Sixteen Shotgun Two-Barrel Set serial number 2S/90452, 16 ga., 28-1/4 and 31-1/4 in. This is the first year of standard production of the 2 inch chambered 16 gauge. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Guns made in 1948 will have a serial number between 249,001 and 270,000. The original Auto-5 was designed by John Browning in 1902 and was the first truly functional semi-automatic shotgun. Since the Sweet 16 was introduced to the public in 1937, you'll only be able to guess that your gun was manufactured in 1937, 1938 or 1939. Letter S serial # 4800x. Description, Sweet Lenci All Felt Child Doll with Lucia, Lot of 2: German Bisque Dolls. The 16ga number 1 began in 1909. Oopsmy gun has an X in front of the serial number, but it is not marked Sweet Sixteen and does not have a gold trigger. Only 1,000 of these were produced in a high-grade wood. To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owners manual. I have owned this gun for the past 35 years and hunted it carefully. I will call him and ask him when mine was made and report back. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Dating these old guns are at best an educated guess. EIGHT MLB AUTOGRAPHED SUPERSTAR BASEBALLS: FIVE MLB SUPERSTAR AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALLS: Two studio pottery sweet dishes I have looked for records online that would tell me when this gun was built and haven't found very much information on serial numbers this small. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. 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 16ga was marketed in the USA. 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 16ga was marketed in the USA. Beginning with Serial Number 1 to approximately 228,000. Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04. JavaScript is disabled. I'm not arguing. Its hard to place a value on these cause if its in the right auction at the right time it may bring $1,000.00. The used value of a BROWNING A5 shotgun has risen $25.35 dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $1,082.71 . The Sweet 16 is lighter than Browning's standard 16 gauge by 10 oz. Made in Belgium, this one has the round knob pistol grip stock a. Produced by F.N., John M. Browning ordered 10,000 of these shotguns in his first order. When did Sweet Sixteen 16 gauge come out? http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940941/serialization-date%20of%20manufacture.pdf. It looks like it was sent to Simmons for the 50s/60s top shelf upgrade. Her work has been published by the "Western Herald," Detroit WDIV, USAToday and other print, broadcast and online publications. Took the A5 to the range yesterday. The barrel is stamped "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST. LOUIS Mo". see Browning Website Available in type 1, 2 and 3. This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only. Identify your Sweet 16 from the late 1940s: Guns made in 1947 will have a serial number between 237,001 and 249,000. you won't be using that gun for "Double Doubles". Can someone please date the manufacture date? Tue May 19, 2015 11:19 pm. I own a Sweet that was made in '54. Pinpointing the exact manufacturing year of early Sweet 16s is a bit difficult. A list of modern browsers is below; simply click an icon to go to the browsers download page. Posted: Privacy Policy. Browning 12ga numbers began with number 1 in 1903. If Browning confirms it was a factory issued X Series 3Shot Sweet Sixteen, the letter may add to its value for some. 27.5 inch vent rib barrel. It does not store any personal data. I found three different lists but these dates seem to be the best. Posted: Be sure to check out his videos while you're on his website. And Sweet 16s made in 1949 will have a serial number between 270,001 and 285,000. So I dunnodoes not really matter as it's an heirloom safe queen. Sun Oct 05, 2014 2:42 pm, Posted: These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I will post them here later tonight. How many 1956 & 1957 Sweet 16 guns were made? BARREL: 28" Modified with beed St. Louis Mo. What is the serial number on a Browning Superlight 16? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In 1999 Browning issued the "Final Tribute" version featuring engraved scens of John M. Browning, the F.N. The serial numbers on these guns will also have the letter "G," followed by a number between 85,001 and 99,000. To find the year of proof of your (Post 1975) Browning or Miroku shotgun youll need to find the Serial Number. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It was set up for his grandson, who outgrew the gun and went into Rem 1100 12 ga. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Thanks for taking the time to pull this information together. We have most owner's manuals online. 2 What is the serial number on a Browning Superlight 16? 8 When did the Browning Auto-5 Magnum 12 gauge come out? It is not a vented ribbed. Collection of approximately 40 78s including: NC Pottery Ernestine Hilton Sigmon Porcelain. Thank u very much-Ive had my sweet 16 a lot of years and when I take it hunting, it very seldom misses. Sat Apr 12, 2014 3:56 pm, Here are a couple of my favoritesthe elusive Sweet Sixteen 3 Shot, Posted: Description, 18th C. Spanish Colonial Wood Santos Cage, ALTERED HARPERS FERRY MISSISSIPPI RIFLE WITH. Historical Letters Available Give us a call at 800-333-3288 to learn more about how you can add a piece of history to your Browning firearm. Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:30 pm. Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:42 pm. 1947 Post war Belgium made X Prefix Series. No serial number distinction between the Sweet 16 and the Standard 16 gauge A5. M=Standard Weight. No cracks in the forend. 6 How can I tell how old my Browning firearm is? Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:03 pm. Identify the year your Sweet 16 was manufactured if made from 1976 through 1992 (when production of the Sweet 16 ended). The new value of a BROWNING A5 shotgun has risen $106.35 dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $1,639.83 . Getting one of these extremely rare original factory issued guns at a standard gun price is a trophy in itself. PRE 1975 SERIALIZATION: What is the serial number on a 1976 Browning Auto 5? Sun Oct 05, 2014 3:12 pm, Posted: This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Where do you find the serial number on a Browning shotgun? The only issues were a so so refinish job on the stock and it has a fixed "FULL" choke. Fabrique Nationale, in Belgium, made the Auto-5 for 75 years, and then production moved to . Click on the results to view more details 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 . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The date of manufacture codes are: Z = 1, Y = 2, X = 3, W = 4, V = 5, T = 6, R = 7, P = 8, N = 9 and M = 0. It is also the last year of the non-engraved sweet sixteen. Serial began with 1000 99999 followed by the model code 221 Sweet Sixteen and 171 Superlight 16 and two letter year ( T=6, R=7, P=8). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. For example "PN" would be "89" indicating 1989. 1933) "Finch's" Watercolor: Belgian FN Made Browning Automatic 5 16 GA, * (AMERICANA NATIVE AMERICANA) A group of, 373. Browning Hi-Power - .30 Luger. Dec 10, 2012 Hello, A Browning Auto-5 Sweet Sixteen manufactured in the year 1965 will have a serial number on the bottom of the receiver that starts with " 5S ". Year of manufacture on Pre-World War II production is strictly a guess. Won it in a big raffle and stored it for safe keeping i suppose. Description: 1963 Browning Sweet 16. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. inertia-driven autoloader is very different from the old Auto-5 Sweet 16.. Browning Hi-Power - Ring Hammer Model. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. BROWNING SERIALIZATION PRE-1975 SERIALIZATION Since 1968-1969 was a transition period in Browning serialization, firearms may be serialized with either 1968 or 1969 style markings. June 28, 1923 Patent application was filed on a 9mm short-recoil, locked-breech, exposed-hammer semi-automatic pistol. Production of the famous "A-5" ceased after this final tribute. This area will help you read that serial number. It would be interesting what the 1924 and 1925 models had. The serial number found on your gun has the answer. Want to know date of manufacture and thanks. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This guide is for the Browning A5 16 gauge only. Sign in or register to get started. When did the Browning Auto-5 Magnum 12 gauge come out? Serial Numbering System changed. Was gun of the year 2018. Very happy with my purchase !!!! These are the holy grail when it comes to collectible . 1. matching serial numbers are a must for guns before 1953 when they stopped doing this. Date Sold. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The serial number will begin with 01001, followed by two letters, and end in 221. My dad would kill me if he seen how dirty it was. I have the letters he sent to Browning requesting the slug barrel, strap and swivels. Looks really nice and would get some attention. Bisque socket, Lot of 7: Pomade Product Tins. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. These are typically dated 1936 and 1937. (displays a limited sampling of the millions of priced results in our database), many more examples with full details are available to our members - Learn more, *VERY RARE HIGH GRADE FACTORY ENGRAVED BROWNING, * Browning Sweet Sixteen Shotgun .16 gauge, Browning Sweet 16, 16 gauge shotgun, semi-automatic, Browning Sweet 16 shotgun, semi-automatic, Browning Sweet 16 shotgun, .16 ga., Ducks, A 16 gauge Browning 'Sweet Sixteen' semi-automatic, A 16 gauge Belgian Browning 'Sweet Sixteen', Browning Sweet Sixteen Shotgun Two-Barrel. I have a Sweet 16 that was made in 1954 serial no. Identify the year your Sweet 16 shotgun was made from 1958 through 1967. The codes on the barrels are Q98786 for Serial # A69040 and R47646 for Serial # A69143. Brownings web site has provided the most info: To commemorate this historic event for the Auto-5, Browning released the "Final Tribute" version in 1999. Login Register Menu. It sat in a safe for 40 years, so it's getting new springs and a good cleaning. Now you can date your Browning firearm. Comes in the A5 hard case with the chokes and everything you would expect. I bet a lot of people have been fooled by unscrupulous sellers over the years. I just bought a 16ga A5 IT IS A THREE SHOT it has the 5 hole barrel lug it has exibition wood seems as old as the gun. Metal in good shape. Engraved on the bottom of the receiver will be the serial number. Thanks again and Merry Christmas, one and all. This is the "unmarked" Browning, era of the Sweet Sixteen. What is the serial number on a Browning A5 Sweet 16? Posted: It's interesting that your barrel has a matching serial number as FN supposedly stopped matching them in 1953. To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of Auto-5: In 1976 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998. Browning Tangent Sight Model. Wed May 20, 2015 6:54 am. For guns made after World War II, serial numbers or a combination of letters and numbers will aim you to the manufacturing year. Cart (0 item) Main Menu. Thanks for the pics. 8G=light weight for 1958. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. S11600. To find the date, look at the number just before the letter G. The number represents the last digit in the year (only from 1958 through 1967) it was manufactured. Description Early, Sweet K & R 122p Character Doll. All rights reserved worldwide. Serial Number designation for the Light Weight changed to G. Serial Numbering System changed again. And Sweet 16 guns made in 1957 will have the letter "G," followed by a number from 23,0001 to 85,000. Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:09 am. Did Tish and Billy Ray get back together? **UPDATE** Don't buy aftermarket magazine extensions!. Load 4, call "Pull!" John M. Browning began work on his first 37mm Aircraft Cannon. Instead, they were simply numbered. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge, C=20 gauge). Guns manufactured in 1956 will have the letter "G," followed by a number between 1 and 23,000.