do not have serial numbers. If your rifle lacks a serial number, it was likely manufactured between 1961 and late 1968 Post-1968 Models

To find the serial number on your Ithaca Model 49, look at the or the lower left portion of the barrel near the receiver junction.

Because production spanned across a massive turning point in American gun law—the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968—dating these rifles can confuse collectors. If you need a reliable guide to carry on your phone or print out for gun shows, this article outlines everything you need to decode your rifle's age, configuration, and historical origin. Key Takeaways