Serial number mystery
Why do people substitue part of the serial number with xxx's when asking questions about their firearm?
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Simply because it is not a good idea to advertise to the whole world the complete serial numbers of weapons that you own.......think about it! 
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
I have asked this question before on another forum and never got a positive response. Do you personally know of a case of a serial number being obtained off the internet that resulted in a problem for the person listing the number? I know of all the theoritical scams, etc. I am talking about a real world instance. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by njretcop
Simply because it is not a good idea to advertise to the whole world the complete serial numbers of weapons that you own.......think about it!
Think about what[?][V][?]
This is one topic that really irks me, and I abhor perpetuated myths![:(!]
You of all people, should realize (or know) just how difficult it truly would be for a "would be" thief/crook to falsify a theft report based on nothing more than a posted serial number and a brief description of a firearm posted on an internet forum board. Just exactly how is the potential "thief" going to accurately file the date of "theft", or where it was stolen from, or who has the firearm at present time and its location? Why would someone go to all that trouble for a few hundred to a few thousnad $$$?
Why don't you please think about this for a bit, and then explain what would happen to the alleged stolen firearm should a law enforcement agency even decide to act on such a report? Do you really believe that a criminal/crook is going to take that kind of chance? Falsified theft reports are a serious offense, and it would take months in a court of law to decide who the real owner is. Why on earth would any criminal/crook/thief put that much time and effort into MAYBE gaining possession of a single firearm that is worth on average just a few hundred $$$?
In all the years I have been around firearms and internet forum boards, I have never heard of even one such instance of this alleged potential theft claim, and I have been an active member of a few internet forum boards for a very long time.... if this were a "real" problem, I would have surely heard about a case by now. Do you have any personal or professional experience with this alledged problem?
Furthermore, there are several "collector" forums that I participate in that will not even respond to someone who is not willing to disclose a complete serial number. Specifically, potential buyers (collectors) of Winchesters, Marlins, Colts, LC Smith, and Parkers Bros. will want to know what the complete number is so that they can properly research it prior to plunking down their hard earned $$$.
Respectfully yours,
Bert Hartman0 -
quote:Originally posted by hughes1
Why do people substitue part of the serial number with xxx's when asking questions about their firearm?
Hughes1... I am not pointing a finger at anyone on this, I am just stating my well learned opinion... people do that because of ignorance, or because they listened to someone else who is ignorant (and I am using Mr. Webster's precise definition of ignorant, so for any of you other folks who may read this... I am not insulting anyone's intelligence).
There is absolutely no valid reason why a complete serial number can not be posted on an internet forum board, or a Internet auction, or any other type of published ad. If there really was a problem, do you think that the large firearms auction companies/services (such as Little John's, Rock Island, James Julia, etc.) would still publish serial numbers? It is a very bad myth that needs to die an ugly death![:(!]
Respectfully,
Bert Hartman0 -
Bert is correct on this. My auction running right now has the complete serno posted.
Back in the 60's, whenever a gunwag would write about a specific weapon he would always use x's for the latter half of the serno with some vague excuse for it. People got the idea that if they wrote a letter to the editor, they should use x's and it has translated into urban myth that someone can file a police report and claim you have their weapon.
Explaining how you were sitting on your hands and not filing a police report all the time the weapon has been in someone else's custody is not mentioned.
Anyway, if somewhere down the road, a serno is posted THAT WAS STOLEN, a report would already be on file and the rightful owner should get his weapon back. Afterall, WHO would want to keep a stolen weapon?
A man who starts imagining that others think good because he does is simply out of his mind
It behooves one to be wary when among strangers and not to trust too much L'Amour0 -
serves no purpose.
My heros have always killed cowboys.0 -
Apparently none of you guys have ever had a problem with identity theft.
By posting the complete serial number of weapons you own, you are opening yourself up to authorized, or un-authorized people obtaining your name and address, phone number, social security and possibly credit card numbers from forms you filled out at the time of purchase.
Do you honestly think that these forms are not seen by people who may have criminal intentions, or who would supply your information to others? How can you be so naive? Because it hasn't happened to you or anyone you know.
Perhaps it's because I worked in law enforcement and know of many stories of identity theft. I hope you never have it happen to you, it can be a nightmare.
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
It is never ignorant to be cautious. Never underestimate criminal creativity, and be thankful there will always be those that are less cautious than yourself that the criminals will prey upon if given the choice. 0 -
I too never list the complete ser.#. If a MEMBER E mails me personally
for the complete ser.# on a item for sale, that is a different thing.
But to put it out on the net? No way. Maybe I just dont trust
everyone. Do you? Too many clip artist in this day and age.0 -
I never list it as I don't like Big Brother knowing just what guns I have... whenever possible I like to buy from private dealers. That said, I don't let that stop me from buying with paperwork.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0
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