Ithaca did not maintain detailed public records cross-referencing serial numbers to specific production years for the Model 49. As a result, there is no official online database or lookup tool. This is a common point of confusion, as records for other Ithaca models like the Model 37 shotgun do exist. Therefore, general ranges are used to estimate a Model 49's age.
The stands out as a unique classic in American rimfire history. Produced from 1961 through 1979 , this rifle won the hearts of young shooters and collectors by mimicking the rugged aesthetics of a Western lever-action repeater, despite actually operating as a single-shot Martini-style dropping-breech action.
➡️ Manufactured between 1969 and 1979 (Post-GCA).
Ithaca did not always ship rifles in strict numerical order. Some low-numbered rifles were assembled and sold years later. The chart above is an approximation, not a guarantee. ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable
: Rifles produced after 1968 feature serial numbers that can range from 6 to 9 digits in length. Determining Manufacture Date While a complete year-by-year public table for
If your rifle has a serial number, look for these common formats and locations: Typically found on the Many Model 49 serial numbers begin with the prefix followed by several digits. Repeating Model (49R):
do not have serial numbers. If your rifle lacks a serial number, it was likely manufactured between 1961 and late 1968 Post-1968 Models Therefore, general ranges are used to estimate a
), which became more standardized after the Gun Control Act of 1968. Portable Dating Table: Model 49 Production Trends
The Ithaca Model 49 is a beloved single-shot, lever-action .22 caliber rifle (later models also in .22 Magnum), primarily manufactured from 1962 to 1978. Often called the "Saddle Gun," it was designed to resemble a miniature Winchester Model 1894, making it a popular choice for young shooters, plinkers, and collectors.
For later production runs, Ithaca adopted a structured format. If your receiver features a 9-digit code like 490XXXXXX , the digits directly following the "49" prefix often correspond to internal production batches aligned with the mid-to-late 1970s. Key Historical Timeline & Visual Identification ➡️ Manufactured between 1969 and 1979 (Post-GCA)
| Feature | Indicates | |---------|------------| | | 1962 – 1968 (pre-GCA) | | Serial number on left receiver | Late 1968 – 1978 | | Metal buttplate (checkered steel) | Early 1960s | | Black plastic or Tenite buttplate | Mid-to-late 1960s onward | | Grooved receiver for scope mount | Introduced around 1970 | | Model 49 "Saddle Gun" etching on barrel | Mostly 1960s production | | "Ithaca Gun Co. Ithaca, N.Y." address | 1962 – 1978 (original company) | | "Ithaca Gun Co. Upper Sandusky, OH" | Modern replica (post-2000s – not original 49) |
Serial numbers from this era typically begin with the prefix 49 . They are cleanly stamped on the left side of the receiver.
of your serial number? Knowing that can help determine if it's a later production unit.