Somewhere between 1963 and 1980. Sears used the JC Higgins brandthrough 1962, and quit selling firearms in 1980. The 273 number isNOT a serial number, it is a Sears stock (catalogue) number. Ifthere is no other serial number, would have been manufacturedbefore 1968, when Federal law began to require serial numbers onrifles and shotguns.