Numbers on right side of frame
I often see numbers stamped (?) on the right side of the frame or slide on pistols. They do not seem to be the same as the serial numbers. What do they mean[?]
0
-
Proof and identification markings. Very common in handguns made in Europe. Can be any combination of letters,numbers and symbols.
Your are going to have to post quality photos. Or provide a very specific description to identify manufacturer and country of origin.
0 -
Thank you. See this: Auction # 407239362 for a S&W 5904 currrent listing. Does this mean the gun has been in europe?
How did you attach the photos to your reply [?]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Peacom
Thank you. See this: Auction # 407239362 for a S&W 5904 currrent listing. Does this mean the gun has been in europe?Most likely that's a pistol formerly owned by some sort of outfit that assigned their own control number.
Notice the lighter color of those numbers. That's the aluminum frame material showing through. This shows it was stamped after the frame had been anodized, which on a S&W autopistol indicates end user work.
Foreign manufacture or sale would be evidenced by proof marks (small symbols) rather than just numbers.
BTW - There's no special significance to numbers being stamped on the right or left side. Exactly where serials or other number markings are located is up to the manufacturer, as long as the serial is on the frame and readily visible.
(A simple way to post a pic from a web page which works most of the time is to right click the image, go to properties and copy it's URL. Then hit the 'insert image' button on this forum's post/reply page and paste the address between the brackets. Hit the 'preview' button to get a look and insure it appears correctly before posting.)0 -
Thanks for the additional information. Here's the other side of the same pistol. Note all of these S&W's 5904s and 5906s have the serial numbers right above the trigger on the left side. These numbers don not match the white. The white numbers on these guns always appear on the right side in the same style but they're only on a very few... may be 1 or 2 out of the vast majority. (like 1 out of 100 or maybe even a 1000).
I am asking/curious because I was at a not so friendly Guns store here in Maine last week and was looking at several S & W 5904 & 5906's. 1 of the 5904 had the white numbers... when I asked, the clerk said they where "the serial" numbers, I noted that they didn't match those on the left by S &W. He just turned away. I also asked about police stamps/engravings, ie: LPD and CPD on the right side of the SS 5906's. "Are these police turn-ins?"
At this point the clerk took the pistols, put them back in the display case, and then, Told me! ( not asked me) to shop somewhere else. [8D]
Where my questions out of place? I am really just trying to be fully informed before I buy either in a store or on line. Am I asking the wrong questions[?]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Peacom
Where my questions out of place? I am really just trying to be fully informed before I buy either in a store or on line. Am I asking the wrong questions[?]
Looks like you made the mistake of embarrassing the person behind the counter by knowing more than they did and catching their errors. Rather than be a grown up about this, they decided to be a toddler.
Honestly, you probably ARE better off taking your business somewhere else, but I bet if you really wanted to buy any of those guns, and came back with cash, they'd still sell them to you.
I once had a somewhat similar experience a few years back at a range in NH, after explaining (politely, mind you) to the guy behind the counter that contrary to the label, the 357 SIG still takes a conventional 9mm bullet and doesn't quite replicate .357 magnum ballistics. Apparently my "opinion" (which happens to be correct) so conflicted with this guys, that he stormed off in anger.
I didn't take it personally. . .don't think you should either.0 -
Your questions were not out of place and you appear to be a quick learner as evidenced by your photo post. I bet you shop elsewhere, or go back and talk with the owner. Better to ask before you pay for the lesson. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments