Thanks gents for all your insight and info. Much appreciated.

My 25-35 was marked same way. Serial number 12,xxx. X's because I cannot remember rest of number. I have a picture somewhere of the stamp. Moodyholler

Winchester is said to have done that, too.

In my survey of Stevens Model 44s and derivatives, I have found a couple without the markings typical of the Savage era, but with serial numbers that are certainly post-takeover.

Can anyone here imagine even just the capability of a manufacturer to assemble fuctioning obsolete items from parts inventory in this era of instant obsolesence and dismal service? 

Progress!

Hayface

In this day and age, I can easily imagine manufacturers scrapping out all sorts of valuable parts. But that certainly wasn't the case 100 years ago! In fact it wasn't the case 50 years ago! 
When Marlin moved their manufacturing plant in the late 1960's, the employees found Ballard parts still stuffed in corners from the 1880's and before! And 100 years or more ago, the manufacturers assembled guns from parts that were around the plant, even after those models were obsolete. In the early 1920's Marlin had a bunch of musket receivers from their failed attempt to sell 1894 Muskets to police, National Guard, and other government agencies. The trigger plates had a lug cast into the trigger plate that was cross drilled for a sling loop. Marlin decided to use these trigger plates, and simply ground the lug off. But it left half of the sling loop hole, and thus a groove crossways on the trigger plate. The solution was to sell the assembled guns as "seconds" for $1 less, rather than toss out the parts. They sent flyers to dealers offering these guns at the reduced price, and today collectors are still puzzled when they discover a Model '94 Marlin with that groove cut in the trigger plate!