: Very early production units (pre-1968) may lack a serial number entirely, as they were not federally required for rimfire rifles until the Gun Control Act of 1968. Step 2: Identify Your Variant
. However, the model's history provides a reliable framework for narrowing down its age. Production Overview Manufacturing Years: 1961 to 1978/1979. Total Produced: Over 500,000 units. The "No Serial Number" Rule: Rifles produced between 1961 and 1968 ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable