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Winchester Model 1892 Serial Number Defaced?

ar71stingray
Hello. I have a Winchester Model 1892 32 W.C.F. with an otagonal barrel that has been in my family for several years. The gun is in good condition and functional. However, the serial number has been defaced (stamped over?). Would anyone have any insight into the reasons behind this sort of thing?

Thanks for any help.

http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/605026/ppuser/60858
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • Herschel
    I can think of no reason to obliterate the serial number except to conceal that it was stolen at some time.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by ar71stingray
    Hello. I have a Winchester Model 1892 32 W.C.F. with an otagonal barrel that has been in my family for several years. The gun is in good condition and functional. However, the serial number has been defaced (stamped over?). Would anyone have any insight into the reasons behind this sort of thing?

    Thanks for any help.

    http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/605026/ppuser/60858


    I can not get to your pictures through the link you provided... it tells me that I must be a registered user.

    In the early days, Winchester would sometimes overstamp a serial number with W.R.A.C.O. if the gun was returned to be completely refinished, and it required moderate to severe polishing to remove pitting and other damage.
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  • I.Shute
    You're right here, Bert.
    It's W.R.A.CO stamped over the serial number.

    Funny - - I learn something every day ! Even from a youngster like Bert.
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  • BigLoop22
    IMG_2736_rev.jpg
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  • ar71stingray
    Thanks so much to Burt for your help with this and to BigLoop22 for posting the image--I could not figure out how to do that--that is why I used hunt101.com.

    Last questions. Given the damage to the serial number, is there any way to estimate this gun's age?
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by I.Shute
    Funny - - I learn something every day ! Even from a youngster like Bert.

    [:0][:0][:D][:D][^][^] It is nice to be called a "younster" by some of you old Pharts who hang around here on the forum[;)].
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by ar71stingray
    Thanks so much to Burt for your help with this and to BigLoop22 for posting the image--I could not figure out how to do that--that is why I used hunt101.com.

    Last questions. Given the damage to the serial number, is there any way to estimate this gun's age?


    It appears that the serial number was originally 5-digits in length, and that the first two numerals were "83" (the "8" and the "3" are just to the left of the "W" and "R" respectively). You might try using a 10x loup to see if you can make out the remaining digits. Regardless, if the serial numnber was in the 83,000 range, it is a late 1897 vintage gun.
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  • Spartacus
    It's 83805.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello Bert as always great information I wonder what BATFE's take would be on the factory restamp over serial number[?][?]
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    Hello Bert as always great information I wonder what BATFE's take would be on the factory restamp over serial number[?][?]


    Winchester restamped them in that fashion well before the Gun control Act of 1934, or GCA of 1968. I personally do not believe that the BATFE will have a problem with something like this.
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  • capgun
    I would be nervous. The Federal and most state laws are pretty to the point. It is illegal to possess a firearm that has had the serial number removed or obliterated. ATFE might not be as big a problem as local authorities who may enforce the letter of the law. No question the serial number has been intentionally obliterated. This one looks correct, but anyone could stamp out a serial number of a stolen gun and stamp WRA CO over it. Dies are available everywhere.
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  • capgun
    Changing, altering, removing or obliterating serial number of firearm prohibited; possession of firearm with serial number changed, altered, removed or obliterated prohibited; penalties.

    1. A person shall not intentionally change, alter, remove or obliterate the serial number upon any firearm. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a category C felony

    2. A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm on which the serial number has been intentionally changed, altered, removed or obliterated. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a category D felony
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by capgun
    Changing, altering, removing or obliterating serial number of firearm prohibited; possession of firearm with serial number changed, altered, removed or obliterated prohibited; penalties.

    1. A person shall not intentionally change, alter, remove or obliterate the serial number upon any firearm. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a category C felony

    2. A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm on which the serial number has been intentionally changed, altered, removed or obliterated. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a category D felony



    What you did not seem to grasp or understand, is the Winchester restamped it near turn of the 20th century... more than 100-years ago. At that time, there were no laws that even required a serial number. It is recorded history, and the BATFE can not enforce current regulations on firearms made before 1968.
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