Help with Date of Manufacture.
 

I originally signed up because of a concern over a difference between the number on the crane and the frame of a Model 12-3 which was a wonderful and unexpected Christmas present from my wife. However in searching the forum I pretty much found the answer. The numbers should not match since the crane number is an internal manufacturing number and the frame number is the actual serial number. (If that is wrong, please straighten me out.)
However, if someone would be willing to identify the year of manufacture of this gun it would be appreciated. The SS is 4D89xxx. The gun is mint and appears unfired. The box was pristine and the cleaning tool was present as well as the factory literature. I intend to carry and use it though, because that is how I enjoy my guns.

Your 4D is a 1979 birthday. You are correct that the butt number is the serial number and other numbers mean nothing.

Thank-you ken158. There was a 1979 dated receipt in the box from a pawn shop. I assumed that was a subsequent sale. Maybe it was the original sale after all.