I checked my Model 37 last night to find the location of the date stamp. After removing the barrels from the action and removing the upper left forearm piece, you must fully extend the ejector on the left side. The date stamp is on the barrel, hidden under the ejector slide when ejector is closed. Mine shows "L1", indicating 1966 date of manufacture. Us the list in Terry Weiland's "Spanish Best", 2nd edition or the list posted above.
I saw the pictures of your gun posted on another thread on this BBS, and I believe (really stretching my momery now), based on your engraving pattern, it is probably pre-1950's. About that time, AyA stopped using the Merkel Model 303 pattern and went to wildlife scenes. I remember seeing both engraving patterns when I was stationed in Turkey and would go to live pigeon shoots in Seville, Spain and Rimini, Italy in early 1960's. The AyA model 37 was a very popular O/U in pigeon shoots at that time.
Also, check to see if your bsarrels are marked "Bellota" on the right rear of the upper barrel. In English translation from the Spanish, it will be marked, "Barrels Chrome-Nickel Bellota". They may not be, because as I understand, for a while after WWII, this extra grade steel was not available. I don't know just when, but I believe it was not available until mid-or late 1950s. Both my AyA Model 56's, one 1961 and the other 1969 manufacture and my Model 37, 1966, are so marked.
Also the under side of the upper forearm wood is marked with the gun serial number. Jim Haynes
Last edited by Jim Haynes; 12/22/06 09:26 AM.
