Stevens / Savage 24 date codes.
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A 1949 B 1950 C 1951 D 1952 E 1953 F 1954 G 1955 H 1956 I 1957
J 1958 K 1959 L 1960 M 1961 N 1962 P 1963 R 1964 S 1965 T 1966
U 1967 V 1968 W 1969 X1970
You will find a date code stamped on every shotgun & rifle/shotgun in the Savage/Stevens brands produced between March 1949 and December 1968. Usually, it is behind the hinge pin on the barrel(s) or ahead of the trigger guard on the bottom of the frame.
It will sometimes appear as a small circle containing a number and a letter. The letters correspond to the years shown in the above table. Significance of the numbers is not known. Sometimes the letter code will stand alone, without being encircled.
This code with or without circle/oval, containing one or two numbers plus a single letter, has been found just about anywhere and everywhere on the frame, but only on the outside of the frame, never inside.
It has also been found with letters and numbers on the barrel clusters, on the shot barrel or on the barrel assembly lug block.
While the letter within the circle always match on factory matching barrel and frame, the numbers never match.
The marks on the inside of the frame, where the lower barrel seats when closed, are what one would call assembly stampings, and match frame to barrel, found on underside of shot barrel near forend lug, and also sometimes found on the butt stock under the butt plate.
