I have recently acquired 2 firearms from my uncle who has moved to town and can no longer use them. One is a M66 Ithaca super single 20ga 3" chamber serial #197489 and the other is a Marlin model 60 semi-auto .22 serial# 09325952. Can anyone tell me the age/date of these? Thanks for your help!
age of a couple of firearms
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OP
I have recently acquired 2 firearms from my uncle who has moved to town and can no longer use them. One is a M66 Ithaca super single 20ga 3" chamber serial #197489 and the other is a Marlin model 60 semi-auto .22 serial# 09325952. Can anyone tell me the age/date of these? Thanks for your help!
lcdrdanr
US Veteran
On Marlin-branded Model 60 rifles, the first two digits of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture. For example, your serial number starts with 09...... the 09 is significant since it is subtracted from the year 2000 to give the year of manufacture, 1991.
This method is valid only from 1971 through 1999. Prior to 1971, the first two digits indicated the year of manufacture. For example, a rifle with a serial number starting with 70... would have been made in 1970. Starting in 2000, this same old method has returned; the first two digits once more indicate the year of manufacture directly, with no subtraction required.
And, from 1962 to 1968 Marlin used letter codes on the barrel, first letter was the month and the second letter was the year of manufacture.
If that's not confusing enough, starting in 2000, they went back to using the year as the first two digits of the serial number so in another year or so, you won't be able to tell if your serial number 09 was built in 1991 (2000 minus 9) or if it was built in 2009.
Dan R
This method is valid only from 1971 through 1999. Prior to 1971, the first two digits indicated the year of manufacture. For example, a rifle with a serial number starting with 70... would have been made in 1970. Starting in 2000, this same old method has returned; the first two digits once more indicate the year of manufacture directly, with no subtraction required.
And, from 1962 to 1968 Marlin used letter codes on the barrel, first letter was the month and the second letter was the year of manufacture.
If that's not confusing enough, starting in 2000, they went back to using the year as the first two digits of the serial number so in another year or so, you won't be able to tell if your serial number 09 was built in 1991 (2000 minus 9) or if it was built in 2009.
Dan R
The Ithaca M66 was introduced in 20ga in 1964 and they were all discontinued by 1978.
I believe if you subtract the first two digits of your Marlins serial number from 2000, you’ll have the year of manufacture - 1991.
I believe if you subtract the first two digits of your Marlins serial number from 2000, you’ll have the year of manufacture - 1991.
OP
Thanks guys! Looking at the guns, I knew that the Marlin wasn't that old, but the M66 was something that I hadn't seen before (a lever action single shot shotgun), so I am curious how long it has been around, and its history.
OP
Hope that you can give me more information on the M66. Thanks again!!
windjammer
Member
I saw one in the early 70's. That's all I know.
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