Is there a date code on Crosman 180’s 400’s?

[45flint]

A fellow forum member said in a recent post that the number on the breech plug of these rifles is a date code?  Is this true?  Here is my 400 with a number 58.  If 1958 that would be about right.  Are there various numbers out there in the date ranges of these rifles? Curious.

[oldair]

Folks seem to agree that the stamp is month/year, thus yours would be May '58.  Given the short production span, a single 'year' digit makes sense.  The ones I've paid attention to are consistent with this theory.

Don R.

[45flint]

Folks seem to agree that the stamp is month/year, thus yours would be May '58.  Given the short production span, a single 'year' digit makes sense.  The ones I've paid attention to are consistent with this theory.

Don R.

Got a 180 coming from DT Fletcher collection where this information could be interesting, it may give the timeline to a unusual stock for a 180.

[Jirushi]

Hmm, not sure tbh. I've got a later type 400 with "84" stamped on the breech plug.

[45flint]

Hmm, not sure tbh. I've got a later type 400 with "84" stamped on the breech plug.

August of 1964, last year of production?

[OTmachine]

“54” and “114” on mine

[Mackado]

My CR180's breech cap is stamped with # 85, August '65? I thought it dated back to the 50s... 

Never been able to figure out why it came with a silver plated .22 barrel either, Special ordered?

[bantam5s]

My CR180's breech cap is stamped with # 85, August '65? I thought it dated back to the 50s... 

Never been able to figure out why it came with a silver plated .22 barrel either, Special ordered?

Definitely 1965, that's a 2nd variant 180 from the 60's.


I was told by more than a few people that this was a date code, and the number has always fit into the timeframe of the guns and or the year original owners remember buying/ recieving them so I can't see it as anything other than a date code.

[45flint]

My CR180's breech cap is stamped with # 85, August '65? I thought it dated back to the 50s... 

Never been able to figure out why it came with a silver plated .22 barrel either, Special ordered?

Yes the new stock and trigger definitely 1960s.  These date codes should give us dates for the new stock and new trigger group. Be interesting the date code on the first version long stock I have coming, could be transitional?  Always fun to know when your rifle was made.

[45flint]

The blue book has the new stock and trigger coming in 1962, be curious if the date codes variety this?  Anyone have the second variant with 1962 code?

[Matchstickshooter]

 My Crosman  180 2nd variant has 13

[45flint]

My Crosman  180 2nd variant has 13

January of 1963 sure seems to verify a 1962 transition. 

[oldair]

I've had these late-type examples: model 180 72 and 82, also model 400 12 and 22.   Wish I had started recording the numbers long ago but didn't realize they had any significance until recently.

Don R.

[45flint]

I've had these late-type examples: model 180 72 and 82, also model 400 12 and 22.   Wish I had started recording the numbers long ago but didn't realize they had any significance until recently.

Don R.

That seems to nail the 1962 transition.  The main reason I’m interested in this is that the Salesman’s Case I just bought on the one side is set up for early rifle stocks or 1962 at the lastest.  The other side seems to be set up for two rifles introduced in 1966 or 4 years later?  Very strange to me, why would a Salesman go out selling with 2 outdated style rifles in 1966?   Maybe I’ll be surprised that the 1966 rifle I have coming won’t fit but I really doubt it.  Find out soon.

[Glasstomb]

My Sears long tube 180 has 10-0 so Oct 60 or Oct 70? It has the newer stock.

[Matchstickshooter]

My Sears long tube 180 has 10-0 so Oct 60 or Oct 70? It has the newer stock.

Which trigger do you have? 

[45flint]

My Sears long tube 180 has 10-0 so Oct 60 or Oct 70? It has the newer stock.

Which trigger do you have?

My question too, it can’t be a 1970, no longer made.

[Glasstomb]

It has the 1st variant direct sear trigger with crossbolt saftey through the stock.

[Stinger177]

A fellow forum member said in a recent post that the number on the breech plug of these rifles is a date code?  Is this true?  Here is my 400 with a number 58.  If 1958 that would be about right.  Are there various numbers out there in the date ranges of these rifles? Curious.

My recently acquired 400 has a 38 code.

Steve - Is your 10 shot magazine a bit wobbly?

[45flint]

It has the 1st variant direct sear trigger with crossbolt saftey through the stock.

That is fascinating the new stock came before the new trigger?  Has anyone else seen a new stock with through the stock safety? I have not.  Probably is October of 1960?