Anyone on here have any comprehensive info on the Savage 24C Camper's Companion" Rifles? Trying to narrow down a date on one. Serial number B151890. Field grade. And yes I have looked at all the known Savage dating sites but only get pre '70 info.
TIA

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I have a warm spot in my heart for these. A Savage 24S (in .22 WMR/20 ga) was my first gun, and I still have it.

There is a Savage 24 forum (at savage24.com); while it isn’t a particularly active place, I think you’ll be able to get your questions answered there.

This link is to a chart showing the Letter Prefix ser# system Savage used post GCA68.
It's on Savage Shooters dot com

Though the post teases you with a miniscule size pic of the chart, you have to be a member of that Forum to actually see the full size chart when you click on it.
I'm not a member so I can't say if the info is helpfull of not.
The note mentioning that the chart is a general outline of start and end serial number along with year.
Might be helpful.

Dating Serial Numbers with a Letter Prefix

Never ceases to amaze, how much cheddar a model 24 can bring. Not sure as to why that is.

Thank you for that link, it allowed me to find that chart elsewhere. It appears Savage did not use specific number ranges for different models, they just used the next number for anything they were building until they hit 999999 and then changed the prefix. (I base that on the fact the chart is exactly the same no matter which model you try to look up) With a little simple math it appears to be late July or early August 1972. The fact it appears unused is a big plus. And the price was right!!

I always get the best help on this forum. Thanks to all.

I am also amazed at the price people get for these. I have owned a few over the years and I wasn't impressed with the quality. I always thought if in another caliber combination they would be a great survival rifle. I always wanted a 22 WMR over a 308 Win. I think this combo would make quite the knock about piece. If forced to have a shotgun bottom barrel at least have the tube rifled. That and a proper set of rear sights. Adjustable double folding rear peep blades would allow accurate shooting in either barrel and a scope base that does not interfere with the rear sights and that is stout enough keep the scope from flying off when lighting off the bottom barrel as they do now. I have always wanted the equipment and skill to build one of these out of milled steel reciever and internal parts with integral trigger guard.

Here is the 24C with a bigger sibling, a 24V in .223 over 20ga. A nice combo.

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As I recall the big difference in models is whether or not the firing pin selector is a lever on the receiver (older) or on the hammer (newer). I'm thinking that change was around 1970...if my highly questionable memory is serving me correctly.

Or maybe I'm thinking of something else entirely.

Thanks for posting this, as it prompted me to look it up. According to one source the selector moved to the hammer around 1962. This information allows me to better “bracket” the manufacture date my old gun to 1962-1968 (it has no serial number). Thanks again!

The pre 71 Model 24 guns should have the Savage date code 'Letter' on them that'll give you the yr/mfg.
Not ser#'d till demanded by the GCA68, Savage used the DateCode on all of their guns (incl the Model 99) from 1949 to 1971 (even though the 69', 70 and 71 made guns will (should) be ser#'d as well.
Date code dropped after '71

On the 24's the date code is usually on the frame (either side) next to the hinge pin, or on the bottom just ahead of the trigger guard.
Some on the forward bottom edge of the frame.

Usually in a circle, but sometimes and oval. A number/(s) can accompany the letter date code but are not meant to be part of the date.
Some feel the numbers are Month of production, but that does not seem to be true .
More likely inspector/QC type indicators.

Savage 24 dare codes


I've never owned a 24. Actually never owned a combination gun.
I could get used to something like this though



Johann Springer 20/22H/P
Likely built on a Merkel action. I'd have no use for it but I like the style.

Thanks for that! According to this chart, my gun was made in 1964.

—
Mark

IMO, the 22LR/20ga combo is perfect as a survival piece - with the addition of a 357 insert! (To match your sidearm, of course

Wouldn't object to improving the sights.