1895/99 question

[kjohn]

Does anybody know what the scoop is on the older 95/99 rifles with the dot in the serial number?

For example: 17.123

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[MadDog]

It's just a dot, not real sure why they did that but it started after 10000, the model 1895's never had a dot.

Never really checked any of my guns to get an idea of when they stopped putting the dot in the serial numbers but I will next time I open the safe.

 

[kjohn]

Thank you. I was helping a friend at the Calgary show, and he had two on his table.

 

[The Outsider]

I think they stopped using the dot sometime well before 1910.

 

[MadDog]

K, had a look.

1899A Short Rifle in 38-55, ser 81### has the dot, 1899C in 38-55 ser 91### has no dot.

I'm thinking that when they made the change at 90,000 to the shorter upper tang that they must have done something with the serial numbering machine and took the dot out at the same time. I know some say that the heat treated receivers started at 90,000 as well but it's been proven that this started at the 120,000 range. Either way a lot of differences started around 90,000 so I guess this was one of them.

If anyone has an 1899 between the two serial numbers I gave feel free to share.

 

[Royzo]

The old 99 in 303 that I have has the dot. 92.### I always thought this was just a normal numerical dot denoting the 10.000s. Just a savage thing???

 

[MadDog]

Roy, 92000 has the dot?

That narrows it down a lot more, I just double checked and the 1899C 38-55 is 93### not 91###, so they must have gotten rid of it somewhere between 92### and 9374X.

 

[model citizen]

MD; a little lower number than your 38-55. Mine is 1899c, 25-35, ser #9371X - no dot.

 

[MadDog]

Thanks, that narrows it up a bit!

 

[kjohn]

Good info! One of the rifles my friend had on his table was a 17.###. I don't recall the # on the other one.

Thanks!!