Serial Number and Age

[Texas Hancock]

How can I verify the age of a Benelli gun? I have the serial number.

[Hookster]

Welcome to the forum Texas Hancock!!!.... Look on the receiver near the trigger guard for two letters in a little rectangle and then look up the letter code on a chart of Italian Firearms Date Codes like you can find here:

 

http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php?topic=121.0

 

Take Care,

 

Hookster

[truckcop]

LOOKS LIKE HOOKSTER WAS HITTING THE SEND BUTTON WHILE I WAS STILL TYPING

 

Shotgun? Proof marks are your best bet. I've found this list to be useful although I can't vouch for its complete accuracy. There's a small square on the bottom of the receiver just above the trigger guard that contains the letters. In the case of my M1's and M2's it appears accurate based on my knowledge of when I got the guns.

 

Date of Manufacture

AA 1975

AB 1976

AC 1977

AD 1978

AE 1979

AF 1980

AH 1981

AI 1982

AL 1983

AM 1984

AN 1985

AP 1986

AS 1987

AT 1988

AU 1989

AZ 1990

BA 1991

BB 1992

BC 1993

BD 1994

BF 1995

BH 1996

BI 1997

BL 1998

BM 1999

BN 2000

BP 2001

BS 2002

BT 2003

BU 2004

BZ 2005

CA 2006

CB 2007

CC 2008

Edited November 11, 2012 by truckcop

[Matthew Gutierrez]

I  have a H and K Benelli m3 Super 90 with the date code AU, can anyone educate me on the difference of a Pre-ban shotgun and a post ban shotgun please. 

[bambihunter]

Matthew, all I can say is that chart above shows 1989 which was before the 1993 AWB so I'd call it pre-ban. I don't recall any other bans for shotguns. I think the best part is the factory early models can stay that way without having to worry about 922r compliance with changed parts to make the same thing.

I have a couple of M3T's. Those are the top fold tactical folders that are quite uncommon, maybe even rare. I've heard all kinds of numbers for them, with most saying 180 of them in the USA and allegedly used at nuclear power plant facilities. That is all hear-say though so take it for what it's worth. as for use at nuclear

[Tango76]

I have a mossy oak long barrel 12 that I found the serial number, starting with a V and ending in a C. Need some info to sell. Year, model, etc... any help would be great. 

[SevenSicstwo]

Bambihunter.. those are some really nice units there. Is there any chance you could take some photos of the locking mechanism if possible? Probably a long shot but I wanted to try and ask at least. 
thank you. 👍🏻
 

PS I fixed my acct name. I messed up on the previous post acct when signing up 😆 

[bambihunter]

Sorry for the delay, I've been so busy with life. I haven't been logging in very often anymore.

I sent you a PM, I think you can respond to it with low post count if another member initiates it.

I can next time I get in that safe. I still have them both. The folders lock into the rear sight. I forget exactly, but I think it is in a slightly different location on the barrel (~3/16" if memory serves), and the stock (of course) as is the sight it has the push button detent to lock/unlock. I do know one can't simply take a folding stock and add it to regular HK era M3 and make it work. I don't think there is any chance of making it work on the modern M3 without a fair amount of fitting. I have never seen a M3T folder made after HK era which I believe ended somewhere between '98 - 2001 I think.

[SevenSicstwo]

Thank you 👍🏻

[SevenSicstwo]

Thank you for your reply. I have the HK M3 Super 90 with the folding stock. Looks like someone changed the barrel out at some point.
 

I was just curious if that locking mechanism is part of the barrel or is it fastened with hardware somehow to the barrel. 👍