Pistol World Forums banner
Cancel

Transfering without serial numbers (EDIT: Found Number)

13147 Views 30 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Fuelburns2, 
F
What is the process for buying a handgun that was never catalogued and has no serial numbers? It is legally owned and was manufactured for the government so they never had a serial no. stamped on them. Will the police scratch a number into it therefore diminishing the value? Is there a place to look for a serial number on a revolver that is not visible while the gun is assembled? I won't buy it if the police are going to deface it. I don't even know if the owner is willing to sell but I was curious about the options I have.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
E
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

I would be cautious of the seller. Any and all US government agencies have the manufaturer put serial numbers on their firearms. For inventory and accountability....
What governement agency did the seller day it belong to?
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Fuelburns2 said:
What is the process for buying a handgun that was never catalogued and has no serial numbers? It is legally owned and was manufactured for the government so they never had a serial no. stamped on them. Will the police scratch a number into it therefore diminishing the value? Is there a place to look for a serial number on a revolver that is not visible while the gun is assembled? I won't buy it if the police are going to deface it. I don't even know if the owner is willing to sell but I was curious about the options I have.
Click to expand...
What make/model pistol, some have the #under a grip, stamped on the inside of the swing arm on some revolvers, some old ones have no number.
Catalogued? Not really familiar with this term, it's not something required in my state for a used gun.
If the # has been removed by someone, thats a whole different story, don't even think about buying the gun if this is the case.
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

I think it was a border patrol gun or FBI gun and I know it never had the number erased or filed off. The owner has one of those green cards that you get with the gun after registration but I didn't see the number on the gun itself. It may be under the grip, I'll call him tomorrow and find out. I'm not worried about this guy doing or owning something illegal because I know him well and he's too smart to show me something illegal anyway. I didn't open the cylinder so I don't know if there is a number in there either. It has a number associated with it I guess I just need to find the location.

By catalogued I mean it has no suggested retail price because it was never meant for retail or offered to the public initially.

I'll let you know what I find.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Sounds good, you have my couriosity up now. is it a revolver?
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Yes, it is a blued .357 with a six shot cylinder. I think it had a 4 inch barrel and it was "beefy" not at all "dainty". It pointed naturally and I wanted to put a down payment on it right then but he told me he would never sell it. Called him today and he said we should talk. Nothing more. I'll buy it if I can find that serial number. I should have taken a much closer look at manufacturer but it was probably either a S&W or a Colt seeing how it was a gov't contract.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Is this from a dealer, or private party? Here in Minnesota, any transaction between private parties requires no paperwork, and as long as you can leagaly own that firearm, there should be no problem. I don't know how your state works, but the serial # shouldn't be an issue.
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Private party. In Michigan all small arms sales must be precluded by obtaining a purchase permit from the police dept. This involves a background check, 15 question safety test, and signing a form that says you agree not to break the law or something to that effect.

Then you get 3 copies of the purchase permit. One for the seller, one for the police, and I think the third is for the county sheriff or state police. Then you take the gun to the PD after completing the sale and filling out the permits. Hand the nice man behind the counter your new best friend and trust him to give it back later. The nice man writes the serial number down and checks the history of the gun against some sort of registry then gives you a form with the serial number, make, model, caliber, capacity, barrel length, etc. Take that form to the purchase permit counter upstairs and get a "ownership card". I don't know the technical term for it.

Show your new green colored card to the nice man and hope he gives you your gun back. Then the process is completed. I bought two guns over the last two weeks and I'm getting tired of the process. The worst part is that you only have ten days to buy or the permit expires and you can't get a permit on weekends! I should move to Minnesota.

Bryan

EDITED
The bold text is included on the purchase permit not recorded by my buddy behind the counter.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Nice! :? I guess I'm glad I live here...That sounds like a whole bunch of fun!! :( You should get extra points for having to jump through all those hoops!!
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
M
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

and here I thought Illinois was bad about being anal about guns :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Mike.
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

It could be worse. I'm not sure how but it probably could. At least I can own handguns. The michigan system does have it's merits, though. A background check is part of the process, the gun gets checked to see if it was ever stolen, and the whole process can be completed in under 2 hours if you're really motivated and drive fast. Like I said, I need to leave michigan. :D
Reply
Save
Like
E
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

You've definitely peaked my curiosity. I am quite surprised that a federal agency didn't require a serial number for it's issued sidearm. Do you have any idea of the production date or issued date?

Please post pics if you get a chance. You can upload them to www.hunt101.com and link them to this site.

Also let me know the asking price if you decide not to purchase it. Feel free to message me on the forum. I don't have to worry about permits or the like to purchase pistols is Texas. Just a FFL willing to recieve the firearm...and thats not a problem.
Reply
Save
Like
M
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

i thought all gun makers (either factory or class 2 people) had to put serial numbers on the reciever wether its for government use or not

lol sounds like u got alot of red tape to cut through lol almost as much as trying to legally own a machine gun in my state :roll:
Reply
Save
Like
T
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

No, not all firearms have serial numbers. I believe ones used by special forces and the like are with out. Correct me if im wrong on that.

Sounds kinda strange but if you are buying it from a law enforcement agency should be ok. In cases like this you should be sure you are not recieving stolen property.
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

El Padrino said:
Do you have any idea of the production date or issued date?

Please post pics if you get a chance. You can upload them to www.hunt101.com and link them to this site.

Also let me know the asking price if you decide not to purchase it. Feel free to message me on the forum.
Click to expand...
I don't know anything about the history of the gun, just that most were destroyed when they were retired and that some were sent to a distributor (sporting goods retailer of some kind) in California. I won't be able to post pics until I buy it and I'm sorry to disappoint you Padrino, but unless it's ridiculously out of my price range I will be buying it. :D Otherwise I'll let you know. I do believe that it has a serial number somewhere I just need to find it. I'll update you by sunday afternoon for sure.
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

I got more info on the gun today. The serial number is in fact on the frame under the cylinder crane. It is of colt manufacture and I'm going to pick it up monday. I'm becoming a regular at the police station! Thank God we don't have the one gun a month law in Michigan.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Good deal, you'll have to post some pics when you get it home, Colt makes some really nice revolvers! :wink:
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

If all goes well then you can expect pics by monday night. I apologize for misleading anyone into thinking the gun didn't have a serial number. I should've inspected it much more closely. I guess I was too busy drooling. :D Not on the gun of course.
Reply
Save
Like
F
2
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

Here it is! A Colt Border Patrol .357mag. I almost didn't get it today. They were having a problem with the machine at the police station and it took almost an hour to get my purchase permit printed. I think you will agree that it was worth the wait. :D

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Transfering without serial numbers

That's a great looking revolver!! :)
I bet you can't wait to shoot it!!
Scott
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Pistol World Forums
A forum community dedicated to all pistol owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General
Top