Lots of pre-68 rifles and shotguns out there without serial numbers.
“Lots of pre-68 rifles and shotguns out there without serial numbers.”
Federal law did not require serial numbers on 22 rimfire rifles or certain shotguns until the Gun Control Act of 1968 took effect.
Before the United States adopted the Model 1873 rifle (”Trapdoor Springfield” in popular parlance) the War Dept did not bother to put serial numbers on military small arms.
Before 1861, a number of gun manufacturers did affix serial numbers to their higher-end products, but hid them: in many cases stamping the digits on areas hidden under the grip panels, or where the stock would cover metal in daily use. Why? Upward-mobility marketing ... custom gunmakers (in truth, that meant every gunmaker on the planet, before the 1830s) sold individually crafted arms. One does not put serial numbers on unique works of art.
The hidden-serial number practice was carried on into the 1930s, in a few instances. Remington and H&R followed the practice with some of their products.