The model 24 started out as the '.22/.410', was originally marketed as a 'Stevens', and was only available for a long time as a.22 LR over a.410.I don't know the introduction date, or when.22MRF,centerfire rifle barrels and larger bore shotgun barrels were introduced, but guns marked with the Westfield Mass. Address were made after 1960-61. Older guns, (.22/.410's) had a barrel selector button on the side of the frame.
Later guns had/have a selector switch mounted on the hammer.That's all I know. Found this, on that site, don't know if it is correctStevens / Savage 24 date codes.-A 1949 B 1950 C 1951D 1952 E 1953 F 1954G 1955 H 1956 I 1957J 1958 K 1959 L 1960M 1961 N 1962 P 1963R 1964 S 1965 T 1966U 1967 V 1968 W 1969X1970'Collectors will find a date code stamped on every double-barrel shotgun in the Stevens brands produced between March 1949 and December 1968. Usually, it is behind the hinge pin or ahead of the trigger guard on the bottom of the frame.
ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP. Superior technology makes Savage firearms great, but people make them the greatest. Meet the individuals who make the difference every day on the factory floor. SERIALIZATIONSerial Numbers At Year End: 1. The retail price was $25. Type 99 with intact mum. Sep 12, 2006 I just aquired a Savage model 24 410/22lr.
It will appear as a small circle containing a number and a letter. The letters correspond to the years shown in the following table. Significance of the numbers is not known.' .From page 1101 of Ned Schwing's 2004 Standard Catalog of Firearms, 14th Edition, published by Krause Publications of Iola, WI.I would like to add that I have found this circle, or oval, containing one or two numbers plus a single letter, just about anywhere and everywhere on the frame, but only on the outside of the frame, never inside. I have also found the circle or oval with letters and numbers on the barrel clusters, on the shot barrel or on the barrel assembly lug block. While the letter within the circle always match on factory matching barrel and frame, the numbers never match, or at least that has always been my experience. These Date Codes are also present on the Model 94 frames and barrels, andI am sure on many others.The marks on the inside of the frame, where the lower barrel seats when closed, are what I would call assembly stampings, and match frame to barrel, found on underside of shot barrel near forend lug, and also sometimes found on the butt stock under the butt plate.Ah, but I was so much older then,I'm younger than that now.