There should be an assembly date code on the barrel just forward of the receiver in the form of two upper case letters. That is the best way to date your gun.
i have a jc higgins model 20 pump. and i was wondering what year it was made. it has the numbers 583.2001 on the barrel. any info would be great thanks.
Sears J. C. Higgins Model 20 — John J. Stimson, Jr.,Thu Aug 16 05:13