Because precise ledger documents for the cheap, high-volume Model 49 line are limited compared to Ithaca's high-end shotguns, collectors rely heavily on cosmetic features to narrow down the year of manufacture: Production Era Stock Material Rear Sight Type Front Sight Configuration Genuine Walnut Folding Buckhorn Integral Barrel Band Mid-Era (Late 1960s–1972) Hardwood (Elm/Birch) Simpler Flat Top Integral Barrel Band Late (1973–1979) Pressed Checkered Hardwood Simpler Flat Top Adjustable Dovetail Front Sight Variant Identification Checklist
To begin your lookup, you must find the stamped identifier on the rifle. For the , check these common locations:
: Later models saw changes in wood types and the design of the faux magazine tube. Serial Numbers - Ithaca Gun Co.
Because the factory historical ledgers housed at the Cody Firearms Records Office primarily focus on high-grade shotguns like the Model 37, collectors must rely on physical design changes and specific serial formatting structures to date their firearms. 🔍 Step 1: Locating the Serial Number On the Go
The "Model 49" name actually covers a few different versions, which can help narrow down the age: Standard Model 49: The classic single-shot. Model 49 Magnum: Chambered for .22 WMR (Magnum). Model 49R:
Take a close look at the barrel stamping. A portion of Model 49 rifles were assembled or finished at Ithaca’s secondary plant in . These Canadian models often feature distinct numeric ranges or an alphabetical letter prefix near the serialization line to indicate international assembly. Key Visual Identifiers to Narrow Down the Date
, manufacturers weren’t legally required to serial number rimfire rifles. If your Model 49 has no serial number at all, it was likely manufactured between 1961 and 1968 2. Identifying the Model Variations
Before attempting a digital or manual look-up, you must first inspect your rifle to determine if it even possesses a serial number. The production window of the Model 49 is split into two distinct eras by federal legislation.
The base single-shot model. It safely chambers .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) cartridges interchangeably.
: For a definitive history of your specific rifle, you can order a search or a formal letter from the Cody Firearms Records Office , which holds Ithaca's factory ledgers . Identification Tips
The Ithaca Model 49 is a classic example of a "working class" .22 rifle that was never intended to be meticulously tracked by historians. The lack of a reliable serial number lookup system does not diminish its value or charm—it simply means that dating one requires a combination of physical observation and accepting approximation. If you own a non-serialized Model 49, you can confidently say it is from 1962–1968. If you have a serial number in the 150,000 range, it is likely a mid-1970s rifle.
The Model 49 was produced in several variations, including the standard rifle, the Model 49R (repeater), and the "Saddlegun" marked models. Summary of Historical Context Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company Production Era: 1961–1979 Action: Single-shot falling block (lever activated) Calibers: .22 LR, .22 Short, .22 WMR (less common)
Because precise ledger documents for the cheap, high-volume Model 49 line are limited compared to Ithaca's high-end shotguns, collectors rely heavily on cosmetic features to narrow down the year of manufacture: Production Era Stock Material Rear Sight Type Front Sight Configuration Genuine Walnut Folding Buckhorn Integral Barrel Band Mid-Era (Late 1960s–1972) Hardwood (Elm/Birch) Simpler Flat Top Integral Barrel Band Late (1973–1979) Pressed Checkered Hardwood Simpler Flat Top Adjustable Dovetail Front Sight Variant Identification Checklist
To begin your lookup, you must find the stamped identifier on the rifle. For the , check these common locations:
: Later models saw changes in wood types and the design of the faux magazine tube. Serial Numbers - Ithaca Gun Co.
Because the factory historical ledgers housed at the Cody Firearms Records Office primarily focus on high-grade shotguns like the Model 37, collectors must rely on physical design changes and specific serial formatting structures to date their firearms. 🔍 Step 1: Locating the Serial Number On the Go ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable
The "Model 49" name actually covers a few different versions, which can help narrow down the age: Standard Model 49: The classic single-shot. Model 49 Magnum: Chambered for .22 WMR (Magnum). Model 49R:
Take a close look at the barrel stamping. A portion of Model 49 rifles were assembled or finished at Ithaca’s secondary plant in . These Canadian models often feature distinct numeric ranges or an alphabetical letter prefix near the serialization line to indicate international assembly. Key Visual Identifiers to Narrow Down the Date
, manufacturers weren’t legally required to serial number rimfire rifles. If your Model 49 has no serial number at all, it was likely manufactured between 1961 and 1968 2. Identifying the Model Variations Because precise ledger documents for the cheap, high-volume
Before attempting a digital or manual look-up, you must first inspect your rifle to determine if it even possesses a serial number. The production window of the Model 49 is split into two distinct eras by federal legislation.
The base single-shot model. It safely chambers .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) cartridges interchangeably.
: For a definitive history of your specific rifle, you can order a search or a formal letter from the Cody Firearms Records Office , which holds Ithaca's factory ledgers . Identification Tips Because the factory historical ledgers housed at the
The Ithaca Model 49 is a classic example of a "working class" .22 rifle that was never intended to be meticulously tracked by historians. The lack of a reliable serial number lookup system does not diminish its value or charm—it simply means that dating one requires a combination of physical observation and accepting approximation. If you own a non-serialized Model 49, you can confidently say it is from 1962–1968. If you have a serial number in the 150,000 range, it is likely a mid-1970s rifle.
The Model 49 was produced in several variations, including the standard rifle, the Model 49R (repeater), and the "Saddlegun" marked models. Summary of Historical Context Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company Production Era: 1961–1979 Action: Single-shot falling block (lever activated) Calibers: .22 LR, .22 Short, .22 WMR (less common)