Why use date codes instead of just dates?

[Balrog]

Why do some gun makers stamp date codes on firearms, or use date codes as part of the serial number? If the company wants that information stamped on the gun, why use a code? Why not just stamp the date of manufacture on the gun, or use the date of manufacture as part of the serial number?

 

[denfoote]

Before WW2 when Germany was forbidden to make guns and Adolf Hitler was starting the build up, date codes were used by Walther, Spreewerken, and Mauser to disguise the fact that the guns were made in Germany. During the war Germany used the codes to hide from the allies which factore was making any given gun.

 

[danbrew]

I did not know that - interesting piece of gun trivia that is now floating around in my mind ready to be used at the first opportunity to make me sound smart.

 

[Roadkill]

The Germans also used an alphanumeric coding system to reduce the actual digits stamped on a gun. For example an "A" prefix would run from #1 to 999999 Then "B" prefix from #1 to 99999 then "C" ect. ect. That way you could have 24 guns with the same serial numbers except for the letter prefix. The same system works for civilian makers; all 1970 guns have a letter prefix, all 1980 guns have a letter prefix, ect.

 

[MichaelK]

For some industries, the rate of production and the timing of production may be considered trade secrets. They use the codes to prevent competetors from knowing that much detail about your level of output and other things that might be going on inside your factory.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

While the German explanation sounds plausible, Remington started using date codes in 1921.

 

[Boris Barowski]

Sabre Defence lasers the production month and year on the barrel of their AR-15's (also twist rate etc )

 

[Trebor]

I can see companies using date codes instead of specific years to keep customers from being upset by buying an "old" gun. Dealer stock can stay on the shelves for awhile and some buyers might want a gun made in say 2009 instead of one made in 2005. With date codes instead of years the average customer won't know the difference.

 

[janedoedad]

Date codes can also indicate what facility, shift or line assembled an item.

 

[Tirod]

Conversely, a date code would conceal that the Winchester 70 you got in late '65 was actually a pre-'64. Not everybody was up to speed on changes back then.

Unless there is a very obvious change in product style or equipment, it does readily cover up the actual age of a gun on the shelf so the consumer doesn't make more of it than it's really worth.

On the flip side, the early version of something - like electronics - could be a lesser product. An upgrade from 4MB to 8MB and improved user interface would leave the older products on the shelf. Retailers and marketing are real careful about that.

Seen something you want suddenly get marked down? The better version is coming. Gun store got a bargain? Whoops, Glocks got finger grips and a rail now. Too bad you got the old one.

That's the way it usually works, haven't picked up a pre-64 yet.

 

[Nicodemus38]

it saves on tooling. its far easier to stamp a rectangle with a line it on a gun barrel then to put a date on it. also most gun store clerks these days wouldnt be able to tell the difference between the actual serial and stamping of "made on 20090101".
also on that tangent, most store clerks think the importer data on the side of milsupr rifles is teh company that MADE the milsurp weapon.