filed off serial #
to clear this up right away, i do not have any firearms with out serial numbers! my question is....what happens to a pistol with the serial filed off or altered? is it destroyed? is there a way to have a serial re-issued? me and a buddy were discussing this and couldn't come to any conclusion except that it would have to be destroyed. i had a friend who was shot and he took the pistol from the guy who shot him and realized that the serial was indeed not there so he wiped it down and left it were the guy shot him during an attempted robbery. he asked me along time ago if there is anything you can do with a gun like that, and it came up the other day while discussing how much it would hurt to actually be shot(which i'd rather not find out!). this is just out of curiosity and i'm not trying to do anything illegal. thanks alot, cody
if you're in my yard tonight, you'll be there in the morning
if you're in my yard tonight, you'll be there in the morning
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If I remember correctly, a gun with the serial # removed/defaced must be destroyed by ATF regs. I was perusing the ATF page the other day and saw something about it, the webpage is www.atf.treas.gov I believe.
Love them Beavers
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that's what i figured, and it doesn't affect me so i'm not willing to do too much research. it was just bugging me a bit and i figured i'd through it to the lions. thanks alot, cody
if you're in my yard tonight, you'll be there in the morning0 -
Actually I believe the number can be brought back again with acid. When it's stamped, the stamping causes stress marks in the steel.
....I never met a gun I didn't like!0 -
Federal law doesn't say that a firearm with an altered serial # must be destroyed; it says that possession of such a firearm is a felony. Anyone who accidentally comes into possession of such a firearm should notify BATFE, who will take it & presumably destroy it. They may use scientific methods to raise the #s to see if the gun was stolen or used in a crime.
Under certain rare circumstances BATFE MAY authorize the re-stamping of the serial #.
Neal0 -
The second oldest series of national firearms regulations, The Federal Firearms Act (not to be confused with The National Firearms Act of 1943) addressed the issue of removing serial numbers as far back as 1938. It was a felony then and it remains so today. Section 922(K) prohibits a person from transporting, shipping, receiving, or possessing any firearm which has had either the importers or manufacturers serial number removed, altered, or obliterated (that should cover all of the bases). As Neal mentioned, on occassion the BATFE will allow either the restamping or the addition of a new serial number but this is NOT standard policy and very seldom happens. Most states also have strict laws dealing with the possession of firearms which have had their serial numbers removed.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Actually rrfhunter is on target to an extent. An acid wash can sometimes bring back the serial number, simalar to what coin dealers use on old coins to bring back the markings. It really depends on how much filing was done. Depending on the make of the gun involved, sometimes other components are serialized to the gun such as the bolt, a slide, (on some auto's), possibly a cylinder. Sometimes there may be a hidden number under the grips. Again it depends on the manufacturer and their practices at the time. Anyone can destory a pistol frame, or a receiver. Sell the rest of the parts off. There are a lot of guns in the U.S. that have been in families for years with no record. If it had a serial number and it doesn't now, it's best just to get rid of it, (turn it in). Regards Dave 0 -
Which is why it's best to use a centerpunch and a drill, not a file or grinder, right? If you checker or stipple the front strap of Browning High Powers, you deface the serial #. If you tell ATF of your intent, they will sometimes authorize you to restamp that number elsewhere on the frame. 0 -
if anyone ever wondered why each gun mfg has a different font and size number and letter on gun serials, now you know why...so they cant be copied. and too, most guns have the numbers rolled on by huge machines. hand stamped numbers differ in strike depth, giving away the fact that the number was changed or done at home. if you can prove the true serial number of the gun by either a bill of sale, or a picture of the full serial number on the gun prior to its alteration, batf will allow the restamp. i/e: a guns serial number area is rusted. when its polished, its gonna go away. call batf, take a pic, have inspector see it, grind it, restamp it. legal gun. you accidently polish off 'part of the number....same deal. if you can prove the original guns serial, it will be approved. another way is to register that gun number...123xxx was destroyed. register that a new frame was buoght to replace it. new issue serial number is 987xxx. gun has new serial number. you know and they know old serial and frame is gone and the new frame is put in its stead. 0 -
Actually on a few of my guns that I have had restored, I had an engraver go over the serial numbers, prior to any other work. Cutting the number deeper allowed for a perfect polish job. After the reblueing process, you can't tell that the serial number was recut at all. This is actually a better way than doing your polishing first, and not worrying about transposing the numbers or forgeting one. Like Bobski said each manufacturer has different style of letters and numbers, which would be impossible to duplicate. The roll dies or stamping machines used, gunsmiths don't have. Then again, it always depends on how original, and how much money you want to spend.
elkhorn: typically you engrave around a serial numer. Thus you don't have to worry about replacing it.
Regards Dave0 -
Um, you know the ATF monitors these communications dont you? 0 -
Mark Christian, What about the Griffin & Howe and Sedgley custom rifles.
Some of these have their Springfield Armory serial number removed and the custom gunmakers serial number placed on it. Would these all be contraband? Also, was the law retroactive? In other words if the serial number was removed and a new one added in 1928 would the gun be legal today? Surely there has been some case law on this since the 1930's when the NFA was enacted.0 -
boltthrower: the topic moved on to more of which way is the best to preserve/henhance the serial number. Bobski had mentioned restamping it after polishing. I mentioned having an engraver go over the numbers before polishing. This preserves the style and number. Thus it isn't ever removed from the frame or receiver. BAFT is concerned with the obliteration and removal of the serial numbers.
Regards Dave0
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