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.
Collectors have established approximate serial number ranges by examining period advertisements, warranty cards, and surviving factory documents. The most reliable portable reference is a digital or physical copy of Walter Claude Snyder’s book, “Ithaca Gun Company: From the Beginning” or the Blue Book of Gun Values.
Here is a generalized, approximate reference table for serialized Model 49s (compiled from collector data): ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable
| Approximate Year | Observed Serial Number Range | |------------------|------------------------------| | 1969 | 100,000 – 120,000 | | 1970-1971 | 120,000 – 140,000 | | 1972-1973 | 140,000 – 160,000 | | 1974-1975 | 160,000 – 180,000 | | 1976 | 180,000 – 195,000 | | 1977-1978 | 195,000 – 210,000 |
Important caveat: These ranges are estimates and can overlap. They are not official Ithaca data. The current Ithaca Gun Company (now based in
Based on collector-compiled data from survivor rifles and factory shipping ledgers (partial), here is the best-known breakdown:
| Approximate Year | Serial Number Range | Key Features | |----------------------|------------------------|-------------------| | 1961 (1st year) | 100 – 2500 | Flat-back receiver, non-serialized barrel, no saddle ring | | 1962–1963 | 2501 – 15000 | Flat-back receiver, stamped "Ithaca Gun Co. Ithaca, N.Y." | | 1964–1966 | 15001 – 65000 | Round-back receiver introduced, some with saddle ring | | 1967–1969 | 65001 – 145000 | “Saddle Gun” markings appear on barrel | | 1970–1972 | 145001 – 225000 | Gold trigger on some deluxe models | | 1973–1975 | 225001 – 300000 | King Ferry address on barrel (instead of Ithaca) | | 1976–1978 | 300001 – 350000+ | Last production runs, some stamped "Geneseo, Ill" | They are not official Ithaca data
Portable rule of thumb: