OTOH..as a holder of the FFL03, my interest about age starts when the item reaches 50 years. C&R can be mailed/shipped directly to me, by FFL01 if they agree, but in most cases it is legal.
Age Matters

I keep a spreadsheet of my weapons, which includes a brief description and date of manufacture.
At times I envision having to defend the size of my collection. I can then readily respond with the age of most of my handguns/rifles. A 110 year old Colt/S&W/Winchester is not typically thought of as a weapon of mass destruction.

Wow, just wow.

I have a pretty good representation of early German semi-auto pistols. Mauser’s and Walther’s particularly. Due to the Mauser connection I started into the Czech ones also. There were, (are,) some amazing things that some of those guys did to improve if not distinguish semi-auto pistol designs. I did not know how to completely disassemble my new to me 4506-1 in the early ‘90’s. Guess what, I had been taking apart Walther’s for some time and without a book and obviously internet I figured it out.

Granted I’ve gravitated on commercial pre-war examples cause I didn’t want the Nazi marked ones PLUS they were WAY cheaper. How can you have a representative Mauser P38 without it being Nazi marked? OK sure a HP. The “normal” person could never afford a high end HP when you could get an excellent first full year production BYF43 for $450.00.

Jim

I was told by a Smith & Wesson employee that serial numbers mean little in determining production dates because frames are serial numbered when made then put in bins and used for production in random order. That's why the best they can usually provide is the gun's shipping date unless you have the gun lettered.

Back some years ago, I bought a 686-3 Classic Hunter and since it was a somewhat limited production gun, I called to see how many were made. I was told that three had been shipped since 1994. I was thrilled to own one of only three made.

Then I saw another one on GunBroker and started bidding on it. Reality set in soon and I pondered the odds of my possibly owning two-thirds of all the guns ever made. That's when I called S&W. The guy burst my bubble by explaining the above serial number thing and adding that a computer crash in 1994 lost all their prior records so all they know is how many were shipped from the factory after 1994. The guns were made in 1989, according to the SCoSW, and about 5,000 were produced. When I told the employee that, he said if that's what "the book" says, that's probably correct.

Gotta love Smith & Wesson. But then there's companies like Savage that keep absolutely zero production records. I bought a Model 12BVSS (which actually has a Model 112 long action) in 6.5-284 Norma, an uncataloged chambering at that time, that were special ordered by a distributor. I was told 150 were made but called Savage to verify that and was told they had no records.

Ed

Many great responses!

I too enjoy history, especially military history. To wit, the rifle pictured in my avatar was bought by my dad from a military surplus ad in Field & Stream magazine in 1957. (He paid $29.95, and it was delivered to his front porch in Port Arthur, Texas.) I've researched it extensively since he gave it to me (not "gifted," ha ha ha) a number of years ago. In the context of WWI, it was manufactured early enough (May 1918) to have been used "over there." Regarding M1903 production details, it's what is considered a "high number" example, with serial number 877,xxx and barrel date of 5/18. The originality of the specific components of the rifle are determined by the date of manufacture, just like all other firearms. In this case, I can tell you (bore you) about pretty much every part that makes up this rifle. Personally I find it fascinating and, without getting into it here, I found out with help of recognized M1903 authority John Beard, that this rifle has a uniquely important story to tell. Without the research, that story would have been lost to the ages.

I'm on this forum for the same exact reason... I want to hear the stories being uncovered and told. The date of manufacture is a vital part of the story. I have always been, and always will be, fascinated by such things. I'm funny like that! Heh, heh, heh.

My only truly old Smith & Wesson shipped in April, 1919, according to Mr. Jinks. I had hoped it pre-dated my old Springfield but, not quite.
-Bill

”Regulation Police” in .38 S&W

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

So are Confederate items bad too?

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

So I should sell my AK and my SKS because they glorify communism and they lost the cold war? I have a 1910 Mauser pistol that my Grandfather liberated from a NAZI officer. Its a war trophy and something he risked his like to acquire. Ignoring history doesn't make it go away.

If my family was there and acquired a war relic I would cherish that. I still don’t understand the fascination wit everything Nazi from knives, their helmets etc. Comparing Nazis to the Commies is apples to oranges.
BTW apparently the Cold War isnt finished nor won. Notice what’s going on in the South China Sea and the Ukraine.
Not ignoring history. Not glorifying, admiring.
SKS IS a great rifle. But it’s no Garand

The same question can be asked of those that must have the original box and paperwork. I don't collect boxes and I don't collect paperwork;l I collect guns. For each person their passion for collecting takes a different path. For some, knowing when the firearm was produced is of consequence. For me, making sure the firearm is working and in factory condition is the only factor. Having the box, paperwork, and accessories like an original cleaning kit is merely candy sprinkles on otherwise good icecream that doesn't need it.

If you don’t appreciate the age of a gun you will be a shooter or hunter. Nothing wrong with that. As you get older you may develop an allergy to polymer like I did. The medication used to fight this allergy is expensive. And you never seem to have enough medicine in stock to make you feel comfortable. I hope this explanation helps

During certain certain years S&W had some very talented tool makers and machinists. They made some VERY high Quality revolvers.

Being a milsurp collector I fully understand the significance of manufacture dates. However, the assassination of our language in many of the inquiries/comments made about older guns grates worse than nails on a chalkboard.

As far as I am concerned, none of you were "gifted gun X that was born in March 1965". You were "given gun X that was manufactured in March 1965".

Here ends my real English patrol duty for today.

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Release the Kraken