I have a browning Sweet 16 that was handed down to me several years ago and I want to find some information on it. There is no clear serial number that I can tell, but its got to be from the early 1900's. It looks like it needs the butplate replaced and a new springtube, along wih a missing screw. Any idea where I could get these parts in a vintage condition, not new and shiney but original perhaps. This may be a shot in the dark but I shought I would ask.

You might try WWW.e-gunparts.com or midwest gun works

Second e gun parts or there is a place called Bob's Gun Shop in Royal, Arkansas that has browning parts. I'd call there and check. I don't have contact info but try Googling it.

The Sweet 16 does not date back to the early 1900s...

I'm only guessing at this, but I would expect the light Browning 16 gauge ( Sweet 16) may have first been produced in the late 40s at the earliest, more likely the early 50s..

The Browning A-5 does date back to near 1900, but he patent was sold to Remington, who manufactured it as the Remington 11 for quite a few years, I believe until the late 40s..

After the patent expired, Browning ( in Belgium) began to produce the A-5 under thier own name again.. It was made in 16 gauge, but I believe the lightweight versions of the A-5 ( Light 20, Sweet 16, light Twelve) did not come along until around 1950, give or take a few years..

http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=13