If you separate action from stock, (be caseful if the guard screw is seized, which they often are), you'll find several numbers and a dot, then 2 more numbers. Well, let's hope you do! In my case 362.28 means my M.1903 carbine is the 362nd proof done in Vienna in 1928. It's serial number is 20XXX It's also the case that the company changed it's name a number of times over the years, and early ones will have a different description on the side of their action. Since these changes are known, they also help point to an approximate date range, without taking it apart.