Finding specific manufacture dates for the Ithaca Model 49 "Saddle Gun" is challenging because the Ithaca Gun Company did not maintain or release centralized, year-by-year serial number tables for this specific model, unlike their older shotguns. Serial Number Quick Facts
Production Range: The Model 49 was manufactured from 1961 to approximately 1978.
Serialized vs. Unserialized: Guns made prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968 were often not serialized. If your rifle has no serial number, it was likely made between 1961 and 1968.
Serial Number Location: Typically found on the left side of the receiver.
Format: Many Model 49 serial numbers begin with the prefix "49". Identification by Features
Since exact serial databases are unavailable, collectors use design changes to estimate the age: Early Models (1961–Mid 60s) Later Models (Late 60s–1978) Stock Material Genuine Walnut Hardwood (Elm or Birch) Rear Sight Folding buckhorn style Simpler flat-top or stepped wedge Front Sight Integral with barrel band Dovetail front sight Checkering Often uncheckered or simple Pressed checkering How to Request Official Records
For a definitive answer, you can contact the Cody Firearms Records Office, which holds the surviving Ithaca factory records.
Records Availability: While records from 1886–1939 are most complete, they do have incomplete records for the early 1960s. ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable
Service: You can request a search or a Factory Letter for a fee (typically around $92–$95 for non-members).
Contact: Phone: 307-578-4031 | Email: cfmrecords@centerofthewest.org. Model Variants
Model 49: Single-shot lever action with a "false" magazine tube.
Model 49R: A repeating version with a functional tube magazine. Model 49 Magnum: Chambered specifically for .22 WMR.
Does your rifle have the prefix "49" at the start of the serial number, or is it a plain 5- or 6-digit number?
Cody Firearms Records Office adds Ithaca Gun Company records
The Ithaca Model 49 was manufactured between 1960 and 1979. Because this model was a budget-friendly firearm produced during a time when serial numbering wasn't always strictly required by federal law, definitive year-by-year lookup charts for this specific model are rare and often incomplete. Serial Number Tracking & Identification Finding specific manufacture dates for the Ithaca Model
Pre-1968 Production: Models made before the Gun Control Act of 1968 often lack serial numbers entirely.
Post-1968 Production: Serial numbers were added to the lower left side of the receiver, typically starting with the prefix "49".
Location: The number is usually stamped on the left front side of the action case, parallel to the barrel and forward of the trigger. Production Gaps & Records
Publicly available records for post-1939 Ithaca firearms are notably incomplete.
Manufacturer Status: While Ithaca Gun Co. provides charts for older shotguns (like the Flues and Knick models), they do not currently offer a public, detailed database for the Model 49.
Advanced Research: For a more precise manufacturing date, you can request a search from the Cody Firearms Records Office, which holds many original factory records from 1886 into the mid-1980s. Model Variations
Production dates may also be narrowed down by checking for specific configuration changes: Title Ithaca Model 49 Serial Number Lookup (Portable
Early Models: Often featured walnut stocks and a folding buckhorn rear sight.
Later Models: Switched to hardwood (elm or birch) and used a simpler flat-top sight or a dovetail front sight. Serial Numbers - Ithaca Gun Co.
Ithaca Model 49 Serial Number Lookup (Portable Reference)
The vast majority of Model 49s found today are "Second Models." You can identify them by these features:
"Ithaca Gun Co., Inc. / Ithaca, N.Y. / Model 49"
The Ithaca Model 49 is a single-shot, lever-action .22 caliber rifle (later models also chambered in .22 Magnum) produced by the Ithaca Gun Company from the early 1960s until the late 1970s. Beloved for its “cowboy-style” lever action and reliability, it remains a popular collectible and training rifle. Unlike many firearms, the Model 49 did not have a consistent, centralized serial number system for all production years. This write-up provides a portable reference—usable at gun shows, estate sales, or in the field—to interpret serial numbers without relying on an active internet connection.
The current Ithaca Gun Company (now based in Upper Sandusky, Ohio) is a separate entity from the original Ithaca, NY, company. They do not have comprehensive historical records for Model 49s. They may offer a letter of authenticity for a fee, but do not guarantee a specific ship date.