In books written about the company that made it. On line.
Need serial number to answer. Look it up at proofhouse.com
Look up at proofhouse.com
You find a published list of serial numbers for the maker.
Colt Lightning Magazine Small Frame Rifle Gun Specifics: Range of serial numbers: 1 – 89,900 Date of manufacture: 1887 to 1904
If serial number data has been published you can look it up.
You will have to call Browning with the serial number or go to their website and look it up.
proofhouse.com
Proofhouse.com has sn tables you can look it up on.
Find a source with sn data for that maker and look it up.
try: proofhouse.com/winchester/index.html
You can look up serial numbers at Proofhouse.com
Depends on the serial number... Look up Winchester serial numbers..