Production Date?

[RECIT]

I have a firearm I bought used and would like to know when it was manufactured. Where would I be able to match the serial number to a production date.

[seamusTX]

It was manufactured between June 6 and July 9, 1997.

Seriously, there's no one answer. Some makes and models have publicly known date codes. Some lists of serial numbers and dates of manufacture are published. Some models were produced in rather narrow time windows. The various gun value books contain some information. Sometimes you can write to the manufacturer and ask, but they usually charge for that if they do it at all.

Google is your friend. As an example, search for "glock 22 date manufacture" (without the quote marks).

- Jim

[RECIT]

I bought an ArmaLite A2 style AR15. It has a smudged white stamp on the front of the lower receiver where the mag inserts that I can not make out and it is permanent as well. I can not tell if the weapon is pre-ban or not. Not that I am worried either way I love it and don't plan on selling it, but needless to say I am interested in this mark or stamp and the production of this rifle. I will get a picture of the stamp and hope for some more info on finding out a production date.

[couzin]

I think Armalite marked the barrels with a code like this "N39 10/5" That is NATO, 3 is the barrel manufacturer, 9 is the twist, and the '10/5 is Oct 1995.

[seamusTX]

BTW, you can sometimes highlight these markings with talc or chalk, if they are not legible as-is.

- Jim

[RECIT]

I will look on the barrel and see what is says, thanx for the info.