I agree with your comment about more than 401 slab sided Sheridans made. To be included in the 401 considered made in '49, the gun has to have two distinct features: the slab side stock and no hole in the right side of the frame. Even after adding the hole, Sheridan probably continued to fit slab sided stocks into '50 until they ran out. Also, it would be very easy to rework a second variation stock into a slab side and claim its a '49, but if it has the hole, its not part of the 401 made.The Charlie Pruefer estate auction held last Sunday had a true (one of the 401 made) '49 slab side (lot #32) and it sold for $800. I don't know if there were any true '49 slab sides in the earlier auction, but lot #32 was the first time I've ever seen one offered for sale publicly. I acquired my true '49 slab side from a fellow forum member and happily paid more that $800 for it.
Mark, thanks for posting the link for the other slab side. How would a Sheridan be recognized as a second variation model ?Thanks - John
Mark, thanks for the pictures. My three early C's are just like yours; flat butt, high comb, hole in frame, rounded stock and under-cut front sight. What's interesting to consider is which came first, the rounded stock or the hole. Its possible that they were both introduced on the same rifle, but that seems very unlikely. The slab side stock looks like something that would be on a BB gun so replacing it was probably a higher priority than adding the hole. If you had one with the rounded stock but no hole, as you have stated it may have been either a legitimate transition piece or a rifle with a replaced stock and pump handle. Thanks again for the help, John