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
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:
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
The Ithaca Model 49 "Saddle Gun" was an iconic .22 caliber rimfire rifle produced between 1961 and 1979. While it is a beloved "first rifle" for many, tracking its specific age via serial number can be challenging due to the lack of comprehensive public records for this specific model. Serial Number Location & Format
Location: The serial number is typically located on the bottom of the receiver or on the side of the receiver near the lever.
Format: Many Model 49 serial numbers begin with the prefix "49".
Pre-1968 Models: Firearms manufactured before the Gun Control Act of 1968 were not legally required to have serial numbers; consequently, many early Model 49s may have no serialization at all. Manufacturing Eras (1961–1979)
Since precise year-by-year serial number tables for the Model 49 are largely unavailable, collectors often date them by physical characteristics:
Early Production (1961–Late 1960s): Often featured walnut stocks and a folding buckhorn rear sight. These early units are more likely to lack serial numbers.
Later Production (1970s): Switched to hardwoods like elm or birch with pressed checkering. The rear sight was often changed to a simpler flat-top version.
Model 49R (Repeater): Produced roughly from 1961 to 1978, this version used a tube magazine rather than the single-shot falling block action of the standard Model 49. Where to Look Up Information
Because Ithaca changed ownership several times, factory records are fragmented. For official verification, you can contact the following: Serial Numbers - Ithaca Gun Co. The Ithaca Model 49 was manufactured between 1960
Identifying the age of an Ithaca Model 49 "Saddlegun" can be tricky because official serial number records for this specific model are notably incomplete. This rimfire rifle, stylized to look like a classic Winchester lever-action, was produced from 1961 through 1978/1979. Where to Find the Serial Number
The serial number on an Ithaca Model 49 is typically stamped into the left front side of the action case, parallel to the barrel and forward of the trigger.
Pre-1968 Models: Many early units (1961–1967) may have no serial number at all. Serialization only became mandatory with the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Post-1968 Models: Serial numbers often begin with the prefix 49 and are followed by a six- or nine-digit string. How to Date Your Rifle
Since detailed year-by-year serial number tables for the Model 49 aren't publicly available, you can use these physical markers to narrow down the era:
1961–1967 (No Serial Number): If your rifle lacks a serial number, it was almost certainly manufactured before 1968. Early vs. Late Features:
Stock Material: Early models used American Walnut, while later production shifted to hardwoods like elm or birch.
Sights: Older versions often featured folding buckhorn rear sights, which were later replaced by a simpler flat-top design.
Front Sight: Early units had a barrel band with an integral front sight; later models used a dovetail front sight. Expert Lookup Resources Ithaca Model 49 Serial Number Lookup Guide (Portable
For more precise identification, you can consult databases or specialized collectors:
Ithaca Gun Co. Official Site: While their online serial number guide focuses heavily on shotguns (like the Model 37), it is a primary starting point for company history.
Firearms Guide: Provides a searchable database for various Ithaca firearms manufactured from 1880–1986.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West: They hold the Cody Firearms Records, which include many Ithaca records, though they note that post-1939 records remain incomplete. Do you have the serial number handy, or22 Magnum version? Serial Numbers - Ithaca Gun Co.
Here is the cold, hard truth that any Ithaca Model 49 serial number lookup portable attempt must confront: There is no complete, publicly available, digital serial number database from the Ithaca Gun Company.
When Ithaca went out of business in 1978 (and later revived under different ownership), many of the original production records were lost in factory moves, fires, or simply discarded. Unlike Winchester’s detailed ledgers or Colt’s archives, Ithaca’s serialization was inconsistent.
However, that does not mean you cannot date your Model 49. Over decades of collector research, a portable, reliable method has emerged based on serial number ranges, physical features, and known production years.
The Ithaca Model 49 is a unique piece of American firearms history. Known for its distinctive "Western" style and robust single-shot mechanism, it remains a favorite among collectors and those who appreciate vintage .22 rifles.
If you are trying to look up the serial number on your Ithaca Model 49—particularly a "Portable" variation—you have likely encountered a common problem: a lack of official public records.
Here is a breakdown of how to identify, date, and research your firearm.
