K-38 date of manufacture

[cornbread]

I'm looking for the date of manufacture on a 5 screw K-38 that came to me from my Grandpa. Serial number K 490xx.
Thanks

 

[rburg]

I'd guess it was in production during 1948. The serials from that year spanned a large range, and your's is right in the middle. That doesn't mean it was finished that year, it doesn't mean it was shipped that year, it doesn't mean it went to a retail outlet, either. But without you spending the $50 for a factory letter to confirm it, you've got a pretty good guess.