Good Eye!
So, looking back on this thread I found that the winch in Post 79 is also a 1977 - Dec so I've been able to book-end my serial number and it's very interesting.
8074 before, my 8274 with an 8074 sticker and an 8274 after.
Seems...
I might have to do that.
Here is an interesting advertisement showing Warn selling the 8074 and introducing the 8274. It clears up my question about why there were so many different part numbers (although mine is not in the list). Also...
Here is something crazy. Crazy that I even found it!
https://www.motorcarstudio.com/vehicles/923/1977-international-scout-ii
Here is a winch on a 1977 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II that was made only a few days from mine according to the date code. My...
Do I have an enigma here?
I just picked up this winch and it is an 8074 according to the sticker and looks to be manufactured in 1977 but it has the freespool.
The story I got from the seller is that it has been kicking around in his garage for...