Ok I know just about nothing about old guns. I have what I have been told is a 1917 model S & W, on the barrel it says S & W DA 45, I could not find any serial numbers then somewhere in a book I read that sometimes the numbers can be found under the barrel which is where I found them when cylinder is open. Well I posted picks and information on another forum and was told that someone had moved the number and I could be found guilty of a federal offense for possession of this gun. pictures
i think the number is 131480 but the 1 might be an I and second number might be 5 or 8

I am not sure what kind of response you are looking for after reading your post. The serial number should be on the frame, stamped on the bottom of the grip near the lanyard swivel. Most 1917s I have seen have the numbers stamped in two rows of three letters each.

Possessing a firearm with an altered serial number is a federal offense unless the gun was renumbered by an FFL holder AND proper paperwork with ATF was completed. If this was done, there should be an obvious newer stamping of the serial #.

We do like pictures, but little can be told on this issue from the one you posted. That may be a good thing....

ETA, If you don't see a clear number on the bottom of the grip, maybe try a piece of paper and sliding a pencil over it sideways to see if there is any indication of a stamping...

the bottom is smooth as can be guess I will have to borrow that book again that told me to look under the barrel, as I looked everywhere before I read that and found it there

Look on the back side of the cylinder also.Mike

You might also remove the grips to see if the S/N was re-stamped there since it was removed from the gun butt. The "Legal" S/N must be on the frame, and neither the barrel or cylinder qualify, even though we know that (with S&W's) they are the same as the one on the gun butt originally.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

As mentioned on the back of the cylinder and also on the rear surface of the crane arm. Open the gun up, check the back of the cylinder, then look through a charge hole at the arm to see that one. However the gun seems to be "in the white", ie. no finish, so these could have been ground off like it was on the butt. The two places I mention, although technically on parts and not the frame, are still places where S&W marked serial numbers.

I certainly can't give you any official advice but myself I would not lose a lot of sleep about the issue on a relic like yours. Others will not agree but hey, we aren't talking a almost new Glock here.

Bob

Let me start off by stating that I'm not a lawyer or an expert on the subject. So this is just an uninformed opinion.

Back in the day, quite a number of 1917's were "liberated" from service by the men they were issued to, battlefield pickups, etc. Serial numbers and US property numbers were commonly removed in an attempt to sterilize the gun. Before the Gun Control Act of 1968, guns weren't required to have serial numbers (though most did), so such alterations were probably thought to not be illegal. Now, if you can prove that the gun lost its serial number pre '68, you might be OK, but that's easier said than done.

I'm wondering if a gunsmith could re-stamp the serial on the frame, considering all the other parts already have that same number. I'm sure he would know the laws governing this better than I do.

well I would rather throw it in the lake than get in even a bit of trouble, some good advice will look closer tonight at it again

If police become aware of a gun with removed serial it is contraband and will be confiscated. Nobody is arrested for having a gun with a missing serial. The bigger question is why is it missing? Probably stolen at some point. Could be 50 years ago. Who knows? Likely zero chance of locating a legal owner at this time.

If it were my gun, and the serial is on the barrel, I buy some metal stamps and put the number on the grip frame under the stocks.

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No life story has happy end.

Might I suggest that a old pair of stocks that covered the entire grip area be installed and you just shoot and enjoy it?

I think if it were me I would have Law enforcement run the serial number and see if it is listed as stolen. If it is they will take it off your hands. If the serial numbers have actually be altered in any way, you probably also need to turn it in. It's not worth being caught with an illegal gun, unless you are turning it in "in good faith".

I don't know how you obtained the gun, but if it's wanted in some way, you don't want to have it. Guns with altered serial numbers were done for some illegal reason, not that someone wanted to test out his new grinder. Could of been used in a murder, who knows. Give ATF a call and see what they suggest.

I would think that is someone was going to alter a serial number they would everywhere it is located, so thinking perhaps this part of this gun just like the grips was not original, still wonder what year at least the barrel was made

There should be a serial number on the main frame of the gun. Barrels can be changed, as so can be cylinders, but the frame is the regulated piece of the gun.