I occassionally get emails from Aubrey / Meriden owners asking for more information. In many cases, these are heirloom guns that have been owned by a family member since they were ordered new from the Sears catalog.
Yesterday, I got the usual request. I try to give as much as we know about a particular gun. I often ask for photos if available, sometimes just more info about what they are seeing.
So this fine gentleman let me know that his grandfather was given 69307. Being a hammerless gun, this should have been made in 1905 or 1906. Here are 2 telling photos.
Notice the rib has the patent date of 1907. OK, so the list is off a bit...
Notice this is not an Aubrey but a Meriden. AJ did not leave until 1910! So at best this gun was made mid-1910....
I am sure we can come up with all sorts of stories.
In the end, a serial number list is only a best guess. Each gun is unique.
Pete