Question about Stihl serial numbers

[HarleyT]

1


CHAIN SAWS

Series Model Production Years

1101 BL 1952-1959


1102 BLK 1954-1966


1106


Contra 06 1959-1968


Contra S 06 1964-1968


Contra 070 1959-1968


070 1968-1977


090 1968-1977


1107


07 1961-1965


07S 1965-1968


1108


08 1963-1965


08S 1965-1994


S10 1968-1973


1109 090G 1969-1985


1110


040 1966-1967


041 1967-1975


041FB 1976-1986


041AV 1967-1986


041AVE 1968-1973


041AVS 1977-1983


041AVQ 1981-1985


1111


050 1968-1972


051 1972-1985


075 1974-1980


076 1980-1986


1112 041G 1969-1975


1113


030 1970-1971


031 1971-1982


031E 1973-1982


031Q 1980-1982


032 1978-1985


1114


020 1971-1979


020AVP 1972-1979


020 Super 1979-1994


1115


045 1974-1980


045 Super 1977-1980


056AV 1980-1985


056AVSE 1980-1984


1116


015 1973-1980


015L 1973-1983


015AV 1976-1983


015AVE 1974-1983


015AVEQ 1978-1983


1117


042AV 1976-1980


048 1980-1985


1118


028AV, 028WB 1979-1980


028AVEQ 1979-1983


028AVS 1983-1990


1119


038AVE 1980-1985


038AVEFB 1983-1985


038AVS 1982-1985


038AVSFB 1985-1993


038AVM 1984-1989


038 MAGNUM® 1985-1997


1120


09 Mini Boss™ 1993-2006


009 1980-1989


009LE 1982-2009


010AV 1978-1982


010AVE 1982-1985


011AVEQ 1980-1990


011AVT 1980-1982


011AVET 1982-1996


012AVE 1986-1994


012AVET 1986-1989


1121 024AVEQ 1982-1985


1121


024AVEQWB 1985-1994


024AVES 1984-1989


026 1988-2002


026 Pro 1996-2002


MS 260, 260 P 2002-2011


Series Model Production Years​

1122


064AV 1986-1997


066 1988-2003


MS 660 2004-2014


MS 6w50 2005-20012


1123


021, 023 1990-2002


023C, 023L 1996-2002


025 1991-2002


MS 210 2002-2008


MS 230 2002-2012


MS 250 2002-Current


1124


084 1985-1997


088 1997-2004


MS 880 2004-Current


1125


034AV 1984-1993


036 1991-2001


036 Pro 1996-2001


036QS 1997-2002


MS 360, 360 P, 360QS 2002-2005


1127


029, 039 1992-2000


MS 290 2000-2012


MS 310, 390 2000-2009


1128


004 1988-2001


046 1996-2001


MS 440 2001-2012


MS 460 2001-2012


MS 461 2013-Current


1129


020T 1996-2002


MS 200 T 2002-2012


1130


017 1995-2002


018 1999-2002


MS 170, 180 2002-Current


MS 180 C-B 2002-2012


1132


019T 1997-2002


MS 191 T 2002-2006


1133 MS 270, 280 2003-2010


1135 MS 361 2004-2010


1137


MS 192 T 2005-2014


MS 193 T 2014-Current


1138


MS 441 2007-2012


MS 441 C-M 2011-Current


1139 MS 171, 181, 211 2009-Current


1140


MS 311, 391 2009-Current


MS 362, 362 C-MQ 2010-2014


MS 362 C-M 2014-Current


1141


MS 271, 291 2010-Current


MS 261 2010-2014


MS 261 C-M, 261 C-MQ 2014-Current


1143


MS 241 C-M, 241 C-MQ 2014-Current


MS 251, 251 C-BE 2013-Current


1144 MS 661 C-M 2014-Current


1145


MS 201 T C, 201 C 2011-2015


MS 201 T C-M, 201 C-EM 2015-Current


1146 MS 150 C-E, MS 150 T C-E 2013-Current


ELECTRIC CHAIN SAWS​

1202 E30 1967-1985


1203 E15 1967-1985


1204 E10 1973-1984


1206 E14 1984-1997


1207


E20 1985-1998


E220Q 1999-2002


MSE 220 2003-2014


1208


E140, E180 1998-2002


MSE 140, 180 2003-2014


1209 MSE 170 C-BQ, 210 C-BQ 2014-Current​

1210 MSE 250 C-Q 2015-Current

 

[Basketcase]

Honestly didn’t see much to do with serial numbers but I might have missed something when trying to make a connection there.

 

[MichMich]

Could you guys check this for me?

175748950
Or
175748960

Am not 100% sure of my reading, sorry

 

[HarleyT]

I put the list up to give you the date range.

I no longer have a password to look serial numbers up, but if it is real old, it likely wouldn't be in the database.

026 1988-2002


026 Pro 1996-2002

Take a pic of things with the airfilter cover off, and we could narrow the age down a bit better.

 

[Basketcase]

I put the list up to give you the date range.

I no longer have a password to look serial numbers up, but if it is real old, it likely wouldn't be in the database.

026 1988-2002


026 Pro 1996-2002

Take a pic of things with the airfilter cover off, and we could narrow the age down a bit better.

Yeah I honestly don’t know how to glean any info from that list you posted. I looked at it for quite awhile several days ago on my own before even asking here. My question wasn’t age as much as whether it’s an 026 or not. I’m pretty sure it is but thought the serial number might clear that up. Thanks for your assistance. I’ll probably call the dealer I guess.

 

[HarleyT]

Well, it is either an 024 or 026, but sure looks like an 026.
Many 024s had only 1 bar nut.

 

[Basketcase]

Well, it is either an 024 or 026, but sure looks like an 026.
Many 024s had only 1 bar nut.

Wow, never came across a single bar nut saw! Interesting detail. Much obliged!

 

[Mikesawed]

Hey guys, I just registered after having issues with the Captcha for months. I only recently started picking up saws that stunt don't run for little too nothing and twisting repairing them to resell to fill in the blanks left by my disability check. After going through yet another hurricane, Sally was the last one, when no chainsaw and only a battery operated Sawzall to get down the road with with winds still kicking at hurricane strength. When you grew up dealing with hurricanes you tend to get out before it's really over and start clearing at least you're own driveway, then the closest path to a main road to allow Emergancy vehicles a way in and out as well as repair vehicles and residents. I still didn't have a chainsaw. But within the next 6 months I had bought, triaged repaired and sold almost 40 with a profit of about $50 per unit. Most are only fuel lines and primer buttons or a carb adjustment. They all get a thorough going through and anything questionable gets replaced. Well in this side hustle I managed to get going I bought a Stihl MS260 for $20. I had it running in a hour. All it needed was to turn the carb screws all the way in and back of 2 turns. It fired off and I fine tuned it with a Tach from there. I also picked up a box saw for $20.And got Ask the info I got was it was a Stihl and all the parts where there. When the cylinder and head where in great shape, no scratches or any blemishes. The coil tested good, the only thing I could tell it really need was a carb and fuel lines and maybe the decompression valve. But the problem is there are no identifying Mathers baskets markers on this saw except the Serial number and the 1128 stamped into the sprocket, clutch and drum. So from that I got that it was an 046. But The serial number starts with a "+" sign. And ordering the clutch, drum, bearing, worm gear for an 046 and the worm gear and the drum are both to big, the drum by .5mm. I mean it actually binds on the chain brake and stops the drum and sprocket from turning when turned by hand when the plug taken out. So I'm wondering is this a 046 Magnum, a standard 046 it the MS 460. It's an older saw and significantly larger than my MS260. And it has the old fuel and oil cap without the flap that locks it down. The serial number is +142274595. It does appear to have the ported muffler. I'm intending to use it on an Alaskan mill. Hurricane Sally dropped 6 nice cedar limbs behind my shop ava wiped out the canoe rack built back there that held 6 canoes. When cutting them to take to the road I noticed they where almost purple. So I processed them on my table saw and my Radial arm saw and got some nice wood with a stunning grain when 3D shifting effect. I made a set of grips for a friends .32 Pistol and it took it from I'm embarrassed to know him to dude you wanna sell that? And I'm not the only one wanting to buy it now that I did the grips for him. But processing that wood got me wanting to build a mil where I can cut some nice slabs. And I have a buddy that carves gun stocks that has volunteered to carve me the table from Sons of anarchy if I get him the wood to do it. This saw looks like it will be a good one to run the mill with. But I need to know all I can about it and all I have is the serial number to go with. Can anyone help me and give me any more info about this saw so I can get the right parts and get it going? Thanks guys.
Sorry such a long post, there was just alot to say to give the entire picture.

Any help is appreciated.

Mike

 

[Woodslasher]

That could be an 044/440 or the brake could be on, it’s happened to me a few times.

 

[Mikesawed]

That could be an 044/440 or the brake could be on, it’s happened to me a few times.

The brake is not on, that's the first thing I checked. The part number stamped into the sprocket, clutch and drum all say it's an 046. But nothing says whether it's a Magnum 046, a standard 046 or a MS 460. It's old so I didn't think it's a MS460. I believe the MS models all have the flip lock on the fuel and oil tanks. From everything I have read it's about 2000 when the "0" got put on the back and the MS added to the front to make a 046 a MS460

 

[Mikesawed]

L

The brake is not on, that's the first thing I checked. The part number stamped into the sprocket, clutch and drum all say it's an 046. But nothing says whether it's a Magnum 046, a standard 046 or a MS 460. It's old so I didn't think it's a MS460. I believe the MS models all have the flip lock on the fuel and oil tanks. From everything I have read it's about 2000 when the "0" got put on the back and the MS added to the front to make a 046 a MS460

 

[HarleyT]

It's from Georgia.

 

[Mikesawed]

It's from Georgia.

View attachment 918751

That's awesome! And it might help explain why the parts i got didn't fit. Any idea what the "+" at the beginning of the serial number is?

 

[HarleyT]

Here is a bulletin. I think I remember someone saying something about if a saw was held at the factory and the problem was then corrected, may have to do with the +. But my memory is foggy, as I used to drink and post a lot.

 

[Woodslasher]

Here is a bulletin. I think I remember someone saying something about if a saw was held at the factory and the problem was then corrected, may have to do with the +. But my memory is foggy, as I used to drink and post a lot.

That is what you told me many, many moons ago.

 

[Mikesawed]

I have a Stihl Chainsaw I got free as a box of parts when buying broken down chainsaws to repair and resell. I paid $30 for 5 various Poulan saws, a Husqvarna 141 and this Stihl. When putting together the Stihl I found that all the parts are there, but it has no compression and needs to be rebuilt. The issue is that there is no badging or identifying markers other than the serial number. And I can't find anywhere to look up the serial number to identify this saw so I can buy parts to rebuild it. When comparing it to my MS260 it's much larger, I mean at least half again of not double it's physical size. I process some of my own wood to make things like jewelry boxes, memorial boxes, name plaques, display cases, live edge end tables and night stands etc. So I'm not cutting 20' planks. More like 6' or less and about 2" thick or less so they can be planed down. With the size of this saw in hoping to use it in an Alaskan mill. My band saw isn't big enough to process lumber as my radial arm saw and table saw can't process anything but small pieces since they are both 10" blades. I have used a piece if 1x4 as a guide and using my MS260 successfully cut planks straight enough to reasonably plane down into nice pieces. But the 260 really lacks the power needed and gives me a serious workout starting at about cut 3. And those are only 30" pieces.

So, my question is can anyone either tell me where I can go to run my serial number besides the dealer (they haven't been very cooperative and act like they don't have the ability to run a serial number knowing very well that is I brought it in for repair they would run the serial number to see if parts where available and to order them). The guy that I got it from said he thought it might be a 046, but wasn't sure.. If it is then I need to figure out of it's a Magnum or not. The serial number is 142274595.. I have attached a picture of the saw in question next to my MS260 so you can see the size difference. And in that picture is also a close up of the serial number.

Cross your fingers, I'm waiting on a call today to go pick up a 025 for $35. Supposedly it runs but won't stay running. But for $35 I can tear it down and rebuild it and still have a sweet deal. And from my research the 025 looks to still be a good saw even 20 years after they discontinued it and OEM parts still appear to be available. At least that's what it's being said. I haven't tried to locate any and order them yet. I'm hoping it's just a carb adjustment since the current owner just replaced the carb and admittedly knows nothing about working on them. So hopefully by the end of the day my girlfriend will be operating a Husqvarna 141 (the throttle return spring that had it down came in yesterday. And I will be running the MS260 or three 025 depending on what I'm cutting. And as soon as I know what saw this big one is I can get it fixed and get further into processing the lumber I need to start making my own designs more regularly and not having to depend on finding an antique box that I can refinish and rework into what a customer wants.

 

[DND 9000]

You asked that already on July 21 2021 here in this thread.

HarleyT gave you the answer, see this post:
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/question-about-stihl-serial-numbers.50177/post-7547270

 

[pioneerguy600]

That saw is an 046 not a MS460, the MS 460 series saws have flippy caps, there is no difference between magnum and a regular 046 except the magnum sticker on the cover. What parts did you get that wouldn`t fit.?

 

[Savage3]

https://workshoppist.com/decoding-stihl-chainsaw-serial-and-part-numbers/

 

[Mikesawed]

You asked that already on July 21 2021 here in this thread.

HarleyT gave you the answer, see this post:
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/question-about-stihl-serial-numbers.50177/post-7547270

Yes, I couldn't find the info he gave me at the time of the second posting. He told me it was a 046 but the warranty card he sent me a screenshot of said MS460. And there was nothing days about it being a Magnum or not. Is there a owner problem asking again and possibly getting further input? I mean the way you come across is as if I violated some sort of rule of decorum. Other people could have joined that are able to provide me with more information. And the information they I got wasn't definitive enough to allow me to confidently purchase the parts that I need. I appreciate his input, but I was left with questions as well.