Zipperhead Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 I was at the LGS yesterday and they had 8 M4's in stock. They were all 5+1 with a fixed stock. I was surprised to see that many in stock (as they had previously been out of stock for months) and wondered if they were all from the same production "batch". I checked the date code on the guns and was interested to see "20" on about half of them and "21" on the other half (meaning, I guess, manufactured in 2020 and 2021). I thought all Italian made guns had a letter code designating the date manufactured. For example, my M4 manufactured in 2020 has the code "CZ". Why would the guns I saw have the numerical date instead of a letter code? Were they not assembled in Italy? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 I'll venture two guesses to my own question. 1. In late 2020, Benelli dropped the letter code for a numerical code. 2. Numerical code used for firearms manufactured specifically for the US market. That's all I've got. Do any of you folks have the numerical code for the date of manufacture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electric7 Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Mine has a 20 stamp and its a bluey! I have one with an IT stamp. I thought that was odd. Edited March 30, 2021 by electric7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha 33 Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Just curious but can the date of manufacture be determined by ser#?????????? I have receiver ser# Y020350.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 I asked a guy at the LGS today that has been selling Benelli and Beretta shotguns for 30 years. He didn't even know that the guns carried a date stamp. No help there. The only reason I was curious is that Italy makes a big deal about dating their firearms. I guess it's no big deal to those of us in the states. https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/italian-date-codes-up-to-2017-14188.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 I found the answer here. http://www.conarmi.org/banchi_ita.jsp The letter date codes were used until 5/31/2020. After that, the actual date is stamped I.e. 20, 21, etc. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, alpha 33 said: Just curious but can the date of manufacture be determined by ser#?????????? I have receiver ser# Y020350.......... Not sure. On the left side of the receiver at the front of the trigger guard, there are three stacks of symbols. The third symbol is the date code in a square box. Will have two letters, or recently, two numbers. Edited March 30, 2021 by Zipperhead grammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha 33 Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 Yup, this particular weapon has"CC" which apparently is code for 2008. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share Posted April 1, 2021 (edited) While you're here, and, for what it's worth. The CIP S code next to the date code means "Superior smokeless powder proof for smoothbore guns". Haven't figured out what the first of the three markings means yet. Educated guess is that it's "Distinctive hallmark of the Gardone Val Trompia Test Bench affixed to all guns" marking. The Italians are serious about their firearms. Edited April 1, 2021 by Zipperhead add a sentence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genetically Swiss Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 My M3 has a CS (2017) date code. GS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benelliwerkes Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 (edited) The 18.3 is the metric diameter of the bore, 18.3 mm = 12 gauge. PSF =Polvere Senza Fumo = Italian for smokeless powder gun proof mark. Edited April 2, 2021 by benelliwerkes 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipperhead Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 Good info. On 4/2/2021 at 6:29 PM, benelliwerkes said: The 18.3 is the metric diameter of the bore, 18.3 mm = 12 gauge. PSF =Polvere Senza Fumo = Italian for smokeless powder gun proof mark. Nice info. The M4 has no proof markings on the barrel. They are on the receiver. Wonder why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyote Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 I purchased my Benelli M2 in 2013 and it had this: Mfg. Date Code CI = 2012 I would think knowing when your firearm was manufactured would be of interest to everyone. Manufacturers change specs all the time and some afictionados are passionate about what they are purchasing. For example, ask anyone who craves a Winchester Lever action whether they would prefer a pre-1964 or a post-1964. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bambihunter Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 On 4/9/2021 at 7:00 AM, Koyote said: ask anyone who craves a Winchester Lever action whether they would prefer a pre-1964 or a post-1964. Really any Winchester rifles, including their bolt guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluu Knight Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 My Days old M2 Tactical says IT21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamboolman Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 My newly purchased M4 says IT21 also. What does IT21 mean ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M2_shootr Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 On 3/30/2021 at 7:37 PM, Zipperhead said: I asked a guy at the LGS today that has been selling Benelli and Beretta shotguns for 30 years. He didn't even know that the guns carried a date stamp. No help there. The only reason I was curious is that Italy makes a big deal about dating their firearms. I guess it's no big deal to those of us in the states. https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/italian-date-codes-up-to-2017-14188.html Not a very knowledgeable sales guy….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranz Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Mine has a CD code (2009) and an aluminum trigger guard. Wondering when the trigger guards transitioned to polymer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTs M4 Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 I have a CD (2009) with aluminum, a CH (2011) with aluminum, and a CP (2016) with polymer .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12508 Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 (edited) On 4/3/2021 at 8:46 PM, Zipperhead said: Good info. Nice info. The M4 has no proof markings on the barrel. They are on the receiver. Wonder why? Sorry to resurrect this thread. I have seen a mix of old and new M4s (2019+). Anyone know why Benelli stopped marking the M4 barrels? Edited February 12, 2022 by 12508 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceephus Posted November 26, 2023 Share Posted November 26, 2023 Seems mine was manufactured in 2021. Came with polymer handguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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