Good day,
Have a Sears model 54 (mfg by Winchester (mod 94)) that came into the shop with a very low serial number. So I couldn't help but wonder if when guns were made for stores or other companies by Winchester, did Winchester use their serial numbering or did they create a serial number listing specifically for that store/company? Will I be able to use the s/n on the rifle when compared to Winchesters dates of manufacture to determine year of creation or will there be a s/n listing for "non-Winchester" Winchesters that I may require the Cody Firearms Museum's assistance to identify this guns age?

Any possible assistance is appreciated.
bkmeis

Hello bkmeis,

Sears had their own serial number sequence, and all records have been turned into the ATF (gone).
I've been working on a timeline for the Sear's Model 54 & Ted Williams Model 100's.
They had about 5 different spec numbers, I'm estimating dates as follows.
First Sears 273.810 Model 54 (1966-1968).
Second Sears 273.811 Model 54 (1968-1972).
Third Sears 273.2120 Model 54 (1972-197?).
Fourth Sears T.W. 273.532140 Model 100 (1972-1978).
Fifth Sears T.W. 273.532141 Model 100 (1978-1981).
1981: U.S. Repeating Arms takes ownership of the company. No more Sears Models

AntiqueSledMan.