My Dad & I just picked up a new toy. We thought it was a Uberti replica but upon closer inspection, it's been rebarreled with a new Uberti .38-55 tube. The stock & action are in good shape but appear old with a very nice patina. Here's the interesting part, there are no markings or serial number on the receiver! If memory serves, these were required around 1962 so it must predate this.

Is there any way to tell if it's an original receiver?

Thanks,
Doug Stump

You may find some amerkings on the INSIDE of the action tangs...the vertical part of the tang covered up by the wood. The tangs on a couple of old ones have various markings,,,serial numbers... assembly numbers...little proofs..scattered all over the bigger parts. Most people will buff the external parts when refinishing, but leave the insides pretty much alone (if you can't see it, don't need to buff it).

MAy also find some proofs and other marks under the fore end.

Can get an idea what tyep of action it started life as by some measurements...the height of the hammer spur...checkering pattern on the hammer spur...type of extractor (were two main ones...the pivoting one at the bottom of the chamber, and a sliding on at the left side of the chamber)...diameter of the firing pin tip (or evidence it's been reduced and the breech block bushed).

Star made rolling blocks in the 1970's on into the 1990's, and some of the older ones could have become aged enough to look like an original...but the Spanish guns were heavily proofed and you'd have to realkly work at it to remove all of them..