In a recent thread, Walter Snyder posted a couple of pictures of and order for four cases of guns going from Ithaca's Lefever Arms Company, Inc. to H & D Folsom Arms Co. in New York City on June 20, 1934. The first two cases were all Lefever Nitro Special doubles. Serial numbers ranged from 262104 which according to the serial number chronology would be 1928, to 297562 which according to the serial number chronology would be 1930. In another case there was one Lefever Single barrel with a serial number 9319 which would be 1928 and the others were in the 214xx range which would be 1931.

Just an example of how far off these serial number chronologies can be.

The one for A.H. Fox guns is worse.

Dave, in my research of L.C. Smith hammer guns from 1889 (records start at 1893) to the end in 1934, the serial numbers of the early ones pretty much follow sequentially. Only in the later years it shows some serial numbers assigned to guns before they were made or finished at a later time and then recorded in the Ledgers.

Another factor in dating gun production was when it was finished verses when it was shipped. Old Baker records indicate that during a yearly audit, the Baker Company had about a year's production of finished guns on the shelves waiting for sales or shipping. It would be possible that some of these guns were still there after guns produced later might have been shipped.

The LC Smith records show that a lot of guns that were started in 1930 or so were not finished and shipped until several years later, as late as 1939 in some cases. I believe that it was the depression at work that caused this situation, yet even as bad as the economy was, some people were still ordering the highest grade guns.

It would appear that serial numbers went on frames at most gun companies as the frames were produced. Most would be finished and shipped sequentially, but there could always be some delayed by engraving or other special features, or simply being misplaced.

The BATF considers the date of production to be the date the frame was made. I guess it's conceivable that a company like Colt could find a batch of old pre-1899 Single Action Army frames that were lost in a warehouse, and finish them today, and then legally sell them by mail order without an FFL transfer just like any muzzleloader.

I very much appreciate the efforts of several of our board members to unravel the mysteries of serial numbers and actual production dates. My only Smith gun at this time is a 32" 16 ga. When I happened across it at a S x S shoot several years ago it was on a table of guns being exhibited by a couple of Smith collectors/shooters. All had replica hang tags on them with the date that the construction began and the date completed. When I hefted this one it seemed perfect for me for late season doves, but I nearly dismissed it as being in too high a condition for me to trade into. Then, I looked at the hang tag and groaned. The owner asked what was the problem, and I replied "It was completed on my birthdate" (although many years earlier) . He grinned and asked if I recognized an omen when I saw one. ........................... I did.

SRH

Stan, 16 gauges with 32" barrels are uncommon in the smaller gauges. I'm guessing yours is a Field Grade, there were 38,678 made and only 220 had 32" barrels. Nice find.

I know, David. And probably even rarer with the combination of options on this one. Field grade, Hunter One Trigger, ejectors, 32" barrels and a very long LOP with perfect drop for me. As I have mentioned before, with 1 oz. 7 1/2s it's one fine late season dove gun.





And, equally as good on crows with 1 1/8 oz. of 4s and 6s.



Thanks again to those responsible for the research into the serial numbers' chronology.

SRH

Stan, even more so on the Featherweight frame. Nice case colors.
I would take a guess that there were less than 20 made on the FW frame with 32" barrels, HOT and ejectors.

I have a 12 gauge Longrange (Regular Frame only) with 32" barrels, HOT and ejectors and was one of 30 made in that configuration. Both barrels have .041 constriction. I had another one, but had a replacement stock and for-end, traded it but should have kept it. That one miked out to mod/full.