I believe it was between 1948 and 1956, but close early 50's by most sources. I have one of each of those years. One has the push forward and the other is the cross bolt. Mine are sweet sixteens which have some variation from the standard Browning serial numbering convention if there was such a thing back then.

Check out this link.

http://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Firearm/Serialize.pdf

 

E bay doesn't handle firearms

 

wayne is right for the belgium browning

 

TM1, Browning made standard 16s' at the same time they were making Sweets. After 1949 the receiver is marked "SWEET SIXTEEN". Before 1949 Sweets had a gold trigger, and three holes drilled through the barrel band. I've included a link about the Sweets and standard 16. It was my all time favorite hunting gun when I was a kid. Wayne

 

There is also a "American Browning" that was made during the war. It did have the rear push through safety the was a rem 11 but had cut off and browning name It was only made in the states for 5 years