Need help dating a Tanfoglio Mossad

[powerplantpete]

I recently bought a Tanfoglio Mossad that was imported from Israel.  I enjoy shooting the gun but am confused about the year of manufacturer.  The gun had been refinished and I can not find Italian proof marks on the gun.  The serial number is AB053xx.  Assuming that the "AB" in the serial number stands for 1976, I find it hard to believe that this when the gun was manufactured considering the gun it was copied from (the CZ75) presumable appeared only in 1975.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I saw several other Tanfoglio Mossad's on GB that had the "AB" at the beginning of their serial number.

[draftpick]

the serial number is not part of the date code. Some of the Mossads do not have a date code. I have a couple that dont. But you should look for a small box with 2 letters in just above the trigger guard on the right side of the gun.

[draftpick]

post some pics 

[jwc007]

Very simple!    Just email Tanfoglio thru their website, the Serial Number, and they will tell you exactly when it was made and where it was shipped. 

http://www.tanfoglio.it/

[powerplantpete]

Thank you jwc007 for your suggestion.  I found a response from Tanfoglio in my email this morning.  The gun was made in Nov. 1990 and shipped the next month to their then distributor in Israel.

[jwc007]

Thank you jwc007 for your suggestion.

You are most Welcome! 

[copterdrvr]

The gun was made in Nov. 1990 and shipped the next month to their then distributor in Israel.

I'm kinda surprised that the Mossads were made that late as I thought that the "style" of the slide and frame indicated matching earlier manufacture. Well, I guess it is pretty close to the "Series 88" date!  ;-)