Remington.com help forum? When my 552 was made?

[mammoth357]

Hi:
I posted a question for Remington, on their website where you can post a question and they supposedly will answer it. That was like 10 days ago. Are they still doing that or did they stop answering questions and issues?

Thanks all!
Jake

I had posted the question: When was my Rem model 552 Speedmaster .22 cal rifle made.
I included a pic:


Looks like KBR to me...K being MAY... rest is the issue...trying to know for certain when this rifle was made.

[shot1too]

I don't know if anyone has a date by serial number list for the 552, but you have the date code shown. As you know the letter for the year is not fully struck but a little detective work might still give you the date. The first year of production for the 552 is 1957. The K is the month of May. The partial letter can only be a few letters. It can't be a "B" since that would be a year prior to production. I think it could be a "E" which would indicate 1958. That is my best guess. Unless someone has a date by serial number list, that is about as close as I can come.

Loren RSA

[mammoth357]

Hi Shot....

Thanks for the reply!

I have a mouse I use with built-in magnifyer...and that center letter has a closed bottom like a "B" so I ruled out the letter "E"... I can see where "E" would make sense of course...

could this rifle be a pre-production prototype of some sort and actually be made in advance of public release?

Just not sure logically what the heck that letter could be! Wish it was clearly stamped to begin with....

Jake

[shot1too]

Jake

Another good question. Anyone who collects Remingtons can be heard to say never say never. Since I have not seen your rifle I don't have much to go on. In my opinion I don't think your rifle could be a prototype since there is a date stamp and a final inspection stamp on the barrel. That is just my opion. Most of the prototypes I have had in my hands are not completely finished in one way or another. The serial numbers are also very low (1 to 10). Many times the prototype is made from parts of other guns that are available at the plant. I don't know how the serial numbers run for the 552, if it doen't have alot of zeros in it, is doesn't seem it could be a proto.

Loren RSA

[mammoth357]

Hi Shot:

There is no serial number on this gun unless it is written in invisible ink!

From what I have seen the serial number, if it had one, would be on the receiver side under the word Speedmaster.

No serial number I think means it is prior to 1968....I think!

Here are some pics I just took...not great pics at that....
Receiver says Remington Speedmaster and under that Model 552 thats it...no numbers...bluing is really good...flash in one pic made it look bad....
(that is a coat of oil on the receiver)

Maybe these pics will help somewhat in dating this rifle!
Jake

[John Gyde]

The M/552 was announced in Feb 1957 with shipments starting in March. Yours is an early 552 since it has the longer barrel.

Remington added serial numbers in Oct 1967. Some earlier rifles have a serial number stamped on the barrel just ahead of the fore-arm. It is slightly offset from the bottom of the barrel.

Some Rem date code stamps are a mystery. Yours appears to be a regular production 552. I can't shed any light on the date code...

[mammoth357]

Hi John:
Thanks for the info...just went and double-checked and there are no numbers on the barrel near the forearm area you indicated...or anywhere else for that matter!

Maybe that is not a "B" and maybe it really is an "E" that was a bad punch....which would make it May 1958.... oh well...looking like will never know for sure.

Not the end of my world...was just very curious about the date.

Best wishes;
Jake