What's the serial number?
Post-July 1975 (Date-Coded Serial Numbers)
Starting in
July 1975, Crosman began encoding the manufacturing date directly into the first
3 or 4 digits of the serial number (typically located on the pump tube or receiver): [
1,
2,
3]
- First 1 or 2 digits: Indicate the month of production (1 to 12, or sometimes letters like N for November or D for December).
- Last 2 digits of the prefix: Indicate the year of production.
- Example: 1179 or N79 means November 1979 (11 = November, 79 = 1979).
- Example: 1076 means October 1976 (10 = October, 76 = 1976). [1, 2, 3]
Pre-July 1975 (No Standard Date Codes)
Guns manufactured before July 1975 do not use a standard date-coded serial number system: [
1,
2]
- Before 1950: Most Crosman airguns lack serial numbers; any numbers present are usually factory repair technician marks or initials.
- 1950 to July 1975: Serial numbers were used primarily for warranty tracking rather than dating.
- Model 760 Exception: For certain vintage models like the Crosman 760 Pumpmaster made between 1966 and July 1975, a short stamped number on the pump tube end cap (such as "16" for January 1966) can sometimes indicate the date. Otherwise, dating requires comparing physical features (such as wood vs. plastic stocks, receiver materials, and safety or cocking styles)
I have one from August 1978 that I am rebuilding. I had one before but my nephew wrecked it in '88'
