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February 12, 2026
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Hey all, I have a Winchester Model 1897 12GA. The serial number by the receiver is “185874” with a stamped C, but I can’t find that serial number anywhere online. Some sites that have a supposedly “full list” of manufacture year and serial number don’t show it at all. One site let me input it, and it said it was manufactured in 1903 but the other sites’ serial numbers for 1903 don’t match mine. Any way I could for sure tell?
April 15, 2005
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Hello Dave,
The “C” stamped above the serial number is not part of the number.
Model 1897 serial number 185874 was manufactured in mid October 1902. For a modest fee, the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office can provide you with a factory letter that will have the exact date it was manufactured, received in the warehouse, configuration, and the date that it sold (shipped).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 12, 2026
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Bert H. said
Hello Dave,
The “C” stamped above the serial number is not part of the number.
Model 1897 serial number 185874 was manufactured in mid October 1902. For a modest fee, the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office can provide you with a factory letter that will have the exact date it was manufactured, received in the warehouse, configuration, and the date that it sold (shipped).
Bert
Thank you Bert! You are a valuable resource.
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