Mfg Date for Serial Number R 5_521

[gfr92y]

Does anyone know the approximate date of manufacture of my ShopSmith with serial number R 5_521 or know where I can find it?

The missing number appears to be 2, 3, or 0.

Thanks!

gfr92y
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[chapmanruss]

It looks more like a 2 than it does a 3 or 0 making it serial number R52521. There are no records of when the Model 10E's or 10ER's were made but we do know some things about them. First the prefix R in your serial number means it was made in the Western Plant. In Apri 1951 there was a change from the double Wedge locks for the Way Tube and Quill Locks to single wedges. For the Western plant that change occurred at serial number R53198 and in the Eastern plant ER40908. If your headstock has double wedge locks than it should be serial number R52521 (or less likely, from what I see R50521) made shortly before April 1951. If it does have single wedge locks it should be serial number R 53521. A little cleaning around the special pin (Parker Kalon Fastener) that holds the plate on may show the actual number better.

[gfr92y]

Russ,

Thanks for the info and sorry for the long delay!

I will look into your suggestions and get back to you.

Joe