Model 5, 7mm 1897 R/B serial number

[Uncle]

My 1897 Model 5 , 7MM S.M. smokeless R/B with "Republicana Mexicana" on the top of the reciver has a serial number on the lower tang. It is 7141. I know that R/B's did not carry serial numbers, and that about 8000 Model 5's were sold to Mexico, so is this number unique to this specific shipment? Can anyone share any background on these rifles? Thanks

[tjack]

Uncle,
The Mexican contract is the only contract that I am aware of that had the rifles serial numbered. That is the serial #.

[Uncle]

Thanks again for your help. One additional thing. Should I assume that all of the Model 5 1897 R/B's (7mmSM, no upper stock extensions, slide extractor) went to Mexico? Were any sold elsewhere? Were any of these sold as private weapons?

[tjack]

According to Geo. Layman the M1897 was sold thru out Central and South America. It is unknown to me if any were "private sales".