Brittman:
Not sure about the dates, but I do know that later examples had the "engraving" cast or etched into the receiver rather than cut. It makes a significant difference in the desireability, to me anyway.
I had a 280E (English) that my brother gave me. He had oil-finished the stock and had the metal rust-blued. Dandy piece, but I couldn't hit a bull in the azz with it. While getting divorced and short on cash I gun-brokered it along with the Modl 71 my ex had given me. I think I got $1200 for it.
They are very nice guns, and still a good buy, I think.
Last edited by Pappy348; 10/02/16.
