Is there a website that I can use to look up the age of an old rifle I have using the serial #?

My dad bought me a 243 Interarms rifle when I was a kid. I had some work done on it and the gunsmith said it had the old Mauser action. So, I wanted to do a little research on it.

Thanks,

No website that I've been able to find on the Interarms Mausers. Many of the Interarms Zastava Mausers have the year of manufacture on the right side of the receiver just under the bolt handle. You can usually just see it above the stock. I've been told that this is the manufacture date. But can't say for sure whether it is the manufacture date, or if it is an import or construction date. It will get you in the right tinme period. Some of our more knowledgable folks can clarify that.
Bfly

Well, I just took a look at the rifle and it had the numbers 1274 stamped near the bolt on the receiver.

I guess this might mean Dec. 1974?

Not sure about all the Interarms imports, but the Whitworths have a date code. Read this thread.

If that is where you saw the date you referenced, then you may have it correct indeed.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
Is there a website that I can use to look up the age of an old rifle I have using the serial #?

My dad bought me a 243 Interarms rifle when I was a kid. I had some work done on it and the gunsmith said it had the old Mauser action. So, I wanted to do a little research on it.

Thanks,

I don't believe it is in any danger of becoming valuable.

By the term "Old Mauser action" I think your gunsmith meant it was based on an old design.

If you are still interested in knowing, cut it in half and count the rings.

I'm not concerned if it is valuable, or not. I was just interested more than anything. Besides, I'll probably have this rifle until it is time to hand it down to my son or possibly a grandchild.

I had a .270 Win Viscount back in 1979 and it was a tack driver. Probably one of the most accurate factory produced guns I've owned. There are times I still wish I had it.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
Not sure about all the Interarms imports, but the Whitworths have a date code. Read this thread.

If that is where you saw the date you referenced, then you may have it correct indeed.

Charles,

Thanks for the link to that old post. I think I'm more confused now and need to head back to the safe for another look.

Thanks again,

Well, it's official, I don't know what the hell I have!!

The gun has Whitworth on the recoil pad and the serial number is in B759XX range.

I guess it is a Mark X sporting rifle?

All I know is that whitetails and antelope hate it!!! Even though I've learned you can't kill a whitetail with a 243 from some of the postings here on AR!!

Take some time and do a websearch on Interarms catalogs. There are quite a few available on line. Some you have to buy from Cornell. You will see that depending on the year, Interarms marketed various models using the Mark X action. Some of those rifles were marketed as Whitworth's that were in slightly different configurations and calibers. I have one in 30/06 that was purchased as a Whitworth, accoring to the information that I have researched. I am the third owner. It is all still original. It has, like yours, a Whitworth original pad but no whitworth on the action. I found my model listed as an Whitworth American Field Series. You will need to look for your model and the correct catalogs for that year and decide for yourself what you have.
These rifles are, I believe, one of the great values in the used market.
Bfly

date code on the rear bring, next to the peep sight mounting screws

This may help

http://books.google.com/books?...king%20piece&f=false