I could use some help from y'all dating a couple of long guns owned by my FIL.

The first is an old LC Smith 16 Gauge Field Grade side-by-side.
There is no serial # on the gun that I can see anywhere. (BTW when did they start putting serial #s on guns)
None on the barrel or action. I haven't tried taking the gun down to see if one is on the inside.
Don't even know if there would be one there, anyway.
The exterior shows some wear, but it's good honest use.
Looking down both barrels, both bores are mirror-like and spotless.

The other is a Winchester Model 70 in .22-250. Serial # is G1974***.
This gun is immaculate, with no blue wear anywhere. Easily a 99+% condition.
The bore is also spotless and mirror-like.
It is topped with a rather cheap, inexpensive Bushnell 3x9 scope.

He's currently keeping them in an upstairs closet, propped in the corner (he doesn't have a safe).
I bought him a small dehumidifier to place in the closet with them to help protect.
I also bought him a silicon cloth and some RemOil to wipe them down with occasionally, too.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

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I'm no expert but if that Model 70 is a pre 1964 it is worth a bunch of money.

Bill

WWW.proofhouse.com has a listing of Winchester serial number. They show the model 70 added the prefix G in 1968. However it says that year run started at number 869001. The last year was 1982 with start number 1537134 and 49,307 rifle mfg. So that would make last rifle s/n 1586441.
This does not add up with your number though

LC Smith always ser#'d their guns,,all the way back to 1800's when they began operations. Take the forend off. Then release the barrel from the action with the top lever and allow the barrel to rotate off the action. **** DO NOT dry fire an LC Smith with the barrel or forend off the action or you will not be able to reassemble w/o recocking the locks***

The frame # in on the receiver flats where the barrels close down on. The barrel # is on the opposing flats on the barrel. Forend is numbered on the inside of the forend iron assembly and is visable when the forend is taken off the shotgun. Some other parts are #'d inside.

If there are no Ser#'s anywhere on the action and barrel flats......
There are more than a few un-numbered guns around that are probably ones assembled from parts. Parts either assembled inside or outside the factory by workers but the guns were not part of the factory production rate.

Guns commonly called 'lunch bucket specials' by collecors. You can find them from most any mfg and era.

Another possibility is a gun that has had it's numbers taken off for what ever reason. They are in positions such that common wear would not effect them. Purposeful removal is usually easily seen though.

If it does have a ser#,, you can look up the mfg year/date on the list here:
http://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos5.htm

Scroll down to the LC Smith section...take note that LC Smiths ser#'s are confusing in that they don't follow a strict cadence all the time. You have to use the mfg era (Hunter Arms, Fulton, ect), gauge, hammer or hammerless, etc) in using the list. Prefixs on the guns serial numbers of FW, FWE, R, RE on Fulton & Marlin era guns indicate frame sizes ('FW' featherweight or 'R' regular) and 'E' ejectors.

I can't help with the shotgun, but try this web site for the Winchester:
http://armscollectors.com/sn/windates.htm

Since Winchester Model 70 reference info ends with the serial number 1537134 for 1982, I would say that this rifle was made some time after 1982. Bear in mind, that is already 27 years ago, so this could be valid even if he has had it for a "long time".

lcsmith.org for more info on that one. I have a field-grade featherweight 12ga double from the turn of the 20th century that is my only safe queen.

I have always preferred dating girls, but if you want to date guns, well...whatever rocks your boat.

Yeah, I was going to suggest dinner and a movie - - Hey and then a trip to the range. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

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1601 (ret)

The L.C. Smith should have a serial number. Mine is an old one made by Hunter Arms Co. in 1912 and it is numbered. If you can find the number, model and any other identifiers, I have the Brophy book on L.C. Smiths and should be able to get you a date of manufacture. The L.C. Smith numbers are confusing due to different corporate entities and often unclear sequencing of numbers.

My gun is numbered on the frame and is visible by breaking open the action. The model designation is also there which in my case is a 00 model, field grade.