Cooey Model 840 Serial Number Lookup <2026 Update>
Serial or not, you can narrow down the era of your Cooey 840 using these features:
If your gun has a serial number on the barrel but also says "Made in Canada" with an importer's stamp (e.g., "O.F. Mossberg & Sons"), it was an American-export model from the 1960s. In this case, the serial number is purely for US GCA 1968 compliance and offers no date.
Check these places:
If you find a number, try:
⚠️ Reality check: Even with a number, you likely won’t find a neat database like a car VIN lookup. Production records for Cooey were often handwritten, scattered, or lost after Winchester closed the Cobourg plant. Cooey Model 840 Serial Number Lookup
Before diving into the serial number lookup, it’s critical to understand the manufacturer’s timeline. The Cooey Machine & Arms Company was founded in 1919 by John Cooey in Cobourg, Ontario. The Model 840 was introduced in the late 1930s as an improvement over the earlier single-shot models (like the Model 39 and 84).
The Model 840 is a single-shot, bolt-action .410 bore shotgun (though rare 20-gauge versions exist). It is famous for its "snap-action" bolt release and lightweight design. Production continued through World War II and into the post-war era until 1961, when Cooey was purchased by Olin Industries—the parent company of Winchester-Western.
Crucial Fact for Your Lookup: Prior to the Winchester acquisition in 1961, most Cooey firearms did not have a serial number. Canadian law did not require serial numbers on low-cost utility firearms for decades. If your Cooey 840 has a serial number, it was likely manufactured after 1961, or it was an export model to the United States (where serialization became mandatory under the 1968 Gun Control Act).
The Model 840 is essentially an evolution of the Cooey Model 84, but specifically fitted with a bolt-action mechanism (the 84 was single-shot break-action). It was designed as a rugged, utilitarian tool for farmers and hunters. Serial or not, you can narrow down the
A. Action & Mechanics
B. Calibers The Model 840 was primarily chambered in shotgun gauges, making it unique as a bolt-action shotgun during a time when pump and semi-autos were taking over.
C. Furniture (Stock & Forend)
D. Sights
First, the big reveal: Most Cooey Model 840 rifles were never given a unique serial number.
Before 1968, Canadian law did not require serial numbers on long guns. Cooey, being a company that prided itself on economy, didn’t waste money stamping numbers where none were needed. Millions of Model 840s (and its twin, the Western Auto "Revelation" model 100) left the factory with a bare receiver.
So, if your 840 has no serial number at all, you’ve actually confirmed something significant: it was manufactured before 1968.
For a proper "Cooey Model 840 serial number lookup," your first step is to put away your magnifying glass and search the gun itself. Here is where to look: If you find a number, try:
The Underside of the Barrel: Remove the barrel from the stock (the Model 840 has a simple takedown screw on the forend). On the underside of the barrel, near the chamber, you may find small stamped letters or numbers. These are often "fitting codes" or inspection stamps (e.g., a circle with "WP" for Winchester proof), not true serial numbers.
The Receiver Wall: If a serial number exists, it will be on the left side of the receiver, often just above the trigger guard or behind the bolt handle cutout. If the metal is smooth here, you have a pre-1961 gun with no serial number.
