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Weatherby S Series With The

None of the serial number history contains data with the SB prefix and most of the SNs are 5 digit except the Howa series with the H prefix.

Thanks in advance.

Feb 23, 2015 2 2015-02-23T21:58 Greg Mercurio wrote: Having already been through the serial number data on the homepage, Im looking for some guidance.

Hi Greg --- We dont have much serial number information on the US made Mark Vs, but do have info.

SB is the prefix for US made Mark Vs between 1995 and 2002.

Weatherby moved their manufacturing from Japan back to the US.

Initial site was SACO -- Saco Defense Industries in Saco, Maine.

Looking at your serial number, Id guess its vintage is around 2000-2002.

After several years of searching, and multiple meetings with several manufacturers, it was determined that the initial investment for tooling no longer made this a viable option.

These clan leaders needed modern weapons for their samurai warriors to protect their land.

In a small gun repair factory, which belonged to the clan, Mr.

Shigyo Sakaba worked as a gunsmiths apprentice.

In 1855, the feudal lord appointed Shigyo Sakaba to the position of gunsmith to supervise the development and production of guns for the clan.

Mr. Shigyo Sakaba is considered to be the founder of the SKB (SaKaBa) Arms Company.

From the early 1960s, the SKB factory began incorporating modern technology with old world craftsmanship to produce a complete line of premier grade competition and field shotguns.

The 1970s were highlighted by increased productivity in the factory with the inclusion of CNC machining.

Over 95 of the factorys production was exported to the United States, Canada, Western Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

In 1978, Ithaca Gun Company had filed for bankruptcy protection and SKB ceased production of the Ithaca branded models.

SKB continued production and re-entered the US market in 1979 being represented by the Mitsui Company in Chicago, IL.

This venture lasted only a few years as the US economy was retracting and interest rates were skyrocketing to over 20.

Even with the additional subcontract work provided by Miroku, the factory could not maintain a profitable business.

In 1983 the SKB Arms Company was sold to the Mira family in Tomobe Japan.

The Mira family was long established in the heavy construction industry, and quarry operations with its major customer being Japanese rail.

The SKB Arms Company was re-organized into the New SKB Arms Company headed by the Mira family.

The Orion and Athena line of Over Under shotguns were extremely popular and were distributed by Weatherby through their network of worldwide importers.

The last Weatherby models, manufactured by SKB, were produced in 2004.

The product line-up included; semi-automatic, side by side, and over under models.

Factory production had again reached its capacity, shotguns were being exported through a network of importers and distributors throughout the world.

Countries in this network included; Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, England, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Lebanon, Russia, Brazil and the United States.

The SKB factory found itself in a situation where importers were cancelling orders, and its aging workforce had little interest in continuing operations.

Since it did not appear that there was going to be quick recovery in the global economy, the decision to close the factory was made in late 2009.

Weatherby S Serial Number Help Share

Weatherby S Series With The

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