From day one.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 made it mandatory for all firearms manufactured in or imported into the US to have serial numbers.
You need a professional appraiser
Mistaken post...sorry. I have two revolvers, and this is the serial of the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum. I'll repost elsewhere.
Go to the Ruger website, look under customer service, historical data, revolvers, single six. Ruger did not always produce guns in serial number order- but dates shown will put you in the ballpark.
The Colteer 1-22 was made from 1957-1966. @ 25,000 were made and they did not have serial numbers. Serial numbers were not required until 1968. Although Colt put sn's on other products they sold at the same time, for some reason they did not on the Colteer
Being that your Marlin model 31 was made between 1913-1916.These rifles were not required by law to have serial numbers if the manufacturer choose not to put them on the firearm.This was not a law until the year 1969.So your marlin might not have a serial number.
Double check the markings. For all intents and purposes, Winchester did/does not make revolvers.
Serial numbers were not required before 1968
Serial numbers were not required until 1968.
Serial numbers were not required before 1968.
Serial numbers were not required before 1968.
Impossible to answer without a serial number, maker and detailed description.