Greetings all:

I have somewhat recently acquired an FN produced 1959 vintage Browning Sweet 16.

I am not well versed in these, and trying to determine if the butt stock has been cut or modified.

When I obtained it, it had a very poorly fitted vintage Pachmayr recoil pad.

Removing the pad, the LOP is right at 14.0 inches to the end of the wood. The end of butt also appears to be dead-flat.

The LOP seems right, but I thought that in original form, the end of the butt had a slight curvature to it, however not at all sure about that. Looking at original FN A5 buttplates on the internet, I cannot tell if these are flat or slightly curved, so looking for some insight from knowledgeable folks.

Can anyone shed light on this, regarding how these came from the factory?

Thanks!

BB

Sounds to me as if it was not cut. I'll take a look at home tonight.

I believe they're flat.
The horn butt plates are somewhat available out there at Gunbroker etc. My findings have been they are pretty uniform. Although I've only changed a few. More experienced guys would know better.
Arts Gunshop would probably be able to help.
Good luck!
Nothing quite like a Sweet Sixteen!

They are definitely curved. If flat, it was likely shaved off for a pad.

Guys-

Thanks for the input.

I ended up sending Art an email and he was kind enough to reply.

He said it should have some curve/concavity.

Based on the LOp to the center of the butt, it looks like it was just flattened to add the pad without shortening overall length.

I will add a short buttplate to keep the Original LOP.

Thanks

Bb

Art is a good man. I am taking three Browning's to him in Tulsa in November.

BTW, I was at their shop last week, was told the wait time on any work is now eight months, FYI.