Two Digit Serial Number

[EdG]

I think it's possible that the receiver is a 1980's import from Korea - probably brought back by EXEL.
The parkerizing and condition are very characteristic of those rifles. The black mark on the right side receiver leg noted by cgroc09 is also seen on some of those imports. I've had no luck getting that black mark off of the receiver, but I've never tried very hard to do it.

Back in the mid-'80s, one of my gun show friends told me that he had seen 2-digit serial numbers among those imports. I have seen several 4-digit and 5-digit Korean import rifles myself.

Still neat to see serial number 88 out there.

[EdG]

I just checked my saved info. Should have done this before my previous post.

This rifle showed up in Feb. 2007 as a barreled receiver with post-war rear sight. The barrel was SA 6535448 4 65 and was marked EXEL/GARDNER,MA. on the muzzle.

I don't know if this rifle was on a For Sale site or not as I did not keep any info other than the saved pics. Based on these pics, this receiver does not appear to have been reparked in the interim. It did have the 7th round modification.

Again, it's still great to see serial 88 in private hands. If I were younger and richer, I would love to have this serial number myself.
I would consider the value of this rifle to be in the serial number and not in its configuration.