Model 49 mfg date

[Chucklehead]

Just picked up a NIB model 49, sn 9J8xxx. It is blued and never fired. Box and instructions/warranty card are dated 1955.
I am really confused about date of mfg. Can anyone help? The side plate has 3 screws and the bbl is pinned.

 

[JP@AK]

Just picked up a NIB model 49, sn 9J8xxx. It is blued and never fired. Box and instructions/warranty card are dated 1955.
I am really confused about date of mfg. Can anyone help? The side plate has 3 screws and the bbl is pinned.

The April 15, 1955 date in the bottom of the box is just the date the Warranty and Liability statements were adopted by the company. It has nothing whatever to do with the date of manufacture of the gun that came in the box.

Your serial number is in the roving J series, and is probably from 1971. Someone will be along who can nail it down tighter for you.