Thanks for the responses and as promised here is an updated list. Keep your eyes open and we can fill in more of the gaps.
With the numbers of Savage #4s turning up at shows in the US perhaps it is time to try to refine some of the serial number ranges. I know, as an author, that rifles are not completed in strict numerical order but perhaps we can narrow down the ranges. Here is what I have seen so far and picked up from another forum. All are marked US PROPERTY unless noted. Note: we have an overlap between 1943 dated and no date rifles, need more observations in the 51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx range. Be sure that the year is not scrubbed off.
One Savage #4 MKI, serial number 17C5233, 1942 date, has turned up. It is a confirmed MKI not a MKI*. Does anyone else have a MKI with a serial number higher than 13C2752. Wonder if Savage was using up some surplus receivers held back as parts? Or?
I have added some serial number observations about Savage snipers and unfinished snipers.
0C1 - 1941 MKI lowest # 1941 date
0C2804 - 1941 MKI highest # 1941 date
0C3870 - 1942 MKI lowest # 1942 date
13C2752 - 1942 MKI highest MKI # 1942 date
13C2845 - 1942 MKI* lowest MKI* # 1942 date
36C1916 - 1942 MKI* highest MKI* # 1942 date
38C2632 - 1943 lowest MKI* # 1943 date
60C7797 - 1943 highest MKI* # 1943 date
51C7693 - no date lowest MKI* # with no date
0C63110 - no date highest MKI* # with no date
OC1 was converted to a sniper and is shown in Skennerton's book.
It appears that 3,000+ rifles were serial numbered in 1941 but according to Skennerton only 1,325 were completed (accepted?)
It appears that around 132,800 MKIs were made.
Need rifles in the following serial # ranges to further narrow the gaps.
0C28xx to 0C38xx for 1941 - 42 changeover.
13C27xx to 13C28xx for MKI - MKI* change over. Success! We now have a gap of only 93 at the change over point!
36C19xx to 38C26xx for 1942 - 43 changeover.
51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx for changeover to no date.
0Cxxxxx - any serial number with 5 digits following the C ie:- 0C30228
Lend Lease legislation was passed 11 March 1941 while the first Savage(0C1?) was finished 22 July 1941 so it appears that all Savages were marked US PROPERTY. Some had US PROPERTY and other marks scrubbed when they went into service. The one millionth Savage was presented to Brig. General Guy Drewry 18 May 1944. The last Savage was produced 22 June 1944.
All Savages with 5 digits after the C were made in 1944, probably between sometime in April and end of production in June.
Savage snipers or unfinished snipers(mount bases only, no "T" stamped, may have cheekpiece.)
1941 dated rifles - 10 noted, 3 are complete snipers with "T" markings and scope numbers on stock, 6 have the bases installed, 1 is a standard rifle.
1942 dated rifles - 3 MKIs in the 0C3xxx to 0C5xxx range have the bases installed. 9 MKI*s in the 13Cxxxx to 15Cxxxx have the bases installed.
Thanks.
Gene
Edited by - GeneM on 08/05/2005 6:31:01 PM
With the numbers of Savage #4s turning up at shows in the US perhaps it is time to try to refine some of the serial number ranges. I know, as an author, that rifles are not completed in strict numerical order but perhaps we can narrow down the ranges. Here is what I have seen so far and picked up from another forum. All are marked US PROPERTY unless noted. Note: we have an overlap between 1943 dated and no date rifles, need more observations in the 51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx range. Be sure that the year is not scrubbed off.
One Savage #4 MKI, serial number 17C5233, 1942 date, has turned up. It is a confirmed MKI not a MKI*. Does anyone else have a MKI with a serial number higher than 13C2752. Wonder if Savage was using up some surplus receivers held back as parts? Or?
I have added some serial number observations about Savage snipers and unfinished snipers.
0C1 - 1941 MKI lowest # 1941 date
0C2804 - 1941 MKI highest # 1941 date
0C3870 - 1942 MKI lowest # 1942 date
13C2752 - 1942 MKI highest MKI # 1942 date
13C2845 - 1942 MKI* lowest MKI* # 1942 date
36C1916 - 1942 MKI* highest MKI* # 1942 date
38C2632 - 1943 lowest MKI* # 1943 date
60C7797 - 1943 highest MKI* # 1943 date
51C7693 - no date lowest MKI* # with no date
0C63110 - no date highest MKI* # with no date
OC1 was converted to a sniper and is shown in Skennerton's book.
It appears that 3,000+ rifles were serial numbered in 1941 but according to Skennerton only 1,325 were completed (accepted?)
It appears that around 132,800 MKIs were made.
Need rifles in the following serial # ranges to further narrow the gaps.
0C28xx to 0C38xx for 1941 - 42 changeover.
13C27xx to 13C28xx for MKI - MKI* change over. Success! We now have a gap of only 93 at the change over point!
36C19xx to 38C26xx for 1942 - 43 changeover.
51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx for changeover to no date.
0Cxxxxx - any serial number with 5 digits following the C ie:- 0C30228
Lend Lease legislation was passed 11 March 1941 while the first Savage(0C1?) was finished 22 July 1941 so it appears that all Savages were marked US PROPERTY. Some had US PROPERTY and other marks scrubbed when they went into service. The one millionth Savage was presented to Brig. General Guy Drewry 18 May 1944. The last Savage was produced 22 June 1944.
All Savages with 5 digits after the C were made in 1944, probably between sometime in April and end of production in June.
Savage snipers or unfinished snipers(mount bases only, no "T" stamped, may have cheekpiece.)
1941 dated rifles - 10 noted, 3 are complete snipers with "T" markings and scope numbers on stock, 6 have the bases installed, 1 is a standard rifle.
1942 dated rifles - 3 MKIs in the 0C3xxx to 0C5xxx range have the bases installed. 9 MKI*s in the 13Cxxxx to 15Cxxxx have the bases installed.
Thanks.
Gene
Edited by - GeneM on 08/05/2005 6:31:01 PM