A post by a member on a different forum prompted me to pull out my S&W Model 77A and look at the SN. Since I had it out I oiled the felt, took it outside and ran about 20 pellets through it only using 16 pumps (20 is maximum per manual). Hold air, no leaks, fun and accurate. I really like looking at the stamp that says Made in Springfield, Mass. USA. I also like that there is no recoil and that it is a .22 caliber gun.
As far as dating of this air rifle it is known it was produced from 1971 - 1978/9. The balance of my writing covers a hypothetical theory for dating this rifle and possible other manufacture locations:
Based upon a very hypothetical theory that I have read about the leading alpha character indicates decade of manufacture and last number in serial number is the year of that decade, if this is indeed true my rifle was manufactured in 1975 which puts it in the time period of the years dovetail scope rails were added to the action (1973-1978/9).
Again if this hypothetical theory holds true for dating the S&W Model 77A early models would possibly have SN something like this G0XXXX1 (1971), G0XXXX2 (1972) if the hypothetical theory is true these first two years would not have dovetails on the actions. The first known mention of the Model 77A having dovetails for scopes was in 1973 and included them until the end of production in 1978/9. My rifles SN if this dating theory is correct is a 1975 model and it does have the dovetails.
It may be a pure coincidence about the dating theory and to prove out the theory will require a few hundred examples; and that by itself may be a fun project to do in the future. Unfortunately these rifles seldom come up so it could take some time.
I have also been told that the Smith & Wesson Air Gun Division moved from Tampa, Florida in 1973 to Springfield, Massachusetts; and that some early Model 77A’s and even some late production rifles could have been marked with a Florida location. However, I have not seen any such markings on a Model 77A rifle, all the ones I have seen have the Springfield, MA markings.
In 1978 Bangor moved the Air Gun Division back to Florida and the Model 77A was dropped at some point in 1978 or 1979. In 1980 Bangor sold the Smith & Wesson air rifle division to Daisy and only the pistols lived on in Daisy production.
Others may know other details that can only add to the history of the rare price of Made in America history.
Attached are a few pictures of my S&W Model 77A
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