16ga.com ~ View topic - Another Sweet Sixteen serial number question

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Eagan, Mn

I just purchased my first "Sweet Sixteen" (5th 16 ga)
It has a VR brl and mod choke. The serial # is X81---.

Can anyone explain the "X"?

I believe it was manufactured in '57, and thus expected an "S" in
front of the SN.

Thanks

Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 989 Location: Las Vegas

Mine is X43511 and was made in late 1950. Jeff Mull has an X51111 which was manufactured in the Spring of '51.

Tell us a little more about the gun. I'm not sure they were putting vent ribs on them in the early '50's but I could easily be mistaken.

Matt

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

There is an explanation of the "X" and other changes in the Serialization section at the back of the Blue Book of Gun Values. You can also try this link (although I can't get it to work right now, on my decrepit laptop). If you still haven't gotten this info by Tue, PM me and I'll send you the info from work, where I have the whole Serialization saved on my hard drive in PDF

Link: [url]store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Firearm/Serialize.pdf[/url]

Edit: OK, now I can't even activate the link, so you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser. Gotta love technology.

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Eagan, Mn

Thanks 662... I got the link to work, and I stand corrected
(not the first time) . The Sweet Sixteen appears to be a '53.

Have one with Ser. # X689xx made in early '52.

Dennis

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Yup, made in the spring of 1953.

The X serial number prefix was used for all 16's from '47 to september of '53. After that the S and R prefixes designated Sweet and Regular 16's till '57. The letter prefix is a good way to easily spot early 2 3/4" guns. So many sellers do not identify chamber length in ads.

By the way vent ribs on A5's go back a long ways. I have a 1929 grade 1 standard 12 with a vent rib. (the first full year of production)

Watch for these guns, they are out there and a bargian if you buy smart. That one cost me about $270 and it was on one of the big auction sites where anyone could buy.

Jeff