Hello,
Recently there was a thread started concerning a S&W 1917 with a defaced serial number available at auction on a popular auction site.
While I will not post the auction link due to forum rules, as it is a current auction,
I will say that after reading the other thread about this gun, I realized I had already put a bid on that particular gun. My internet is slow so I was never able to load all the pictures, especially the one showing the butt, but saw other pictures and didn't suspect the serial number was filed off the butt.
I finally was able to load all the pictures after reading that thread, and saw that yes, the gun I had bid on was the gun in question and had a removed serial number on the butt. The seller states that the serial number was taken from elsewhere on the gun

but my concern is that ANY removal of a serial number is a felony even if the number is duplicated elsewhere on the gun.
The reply given when I contacted support on the auction site with my concerns was as follows:

"For revolvers the serial numbers usually are not printed on the bottom of the grip, they’re usually on the barrel or on the back of the trigger guard.
If you are still concerned I recommend contacting the seller and asking if they can provide a picture of the serial number.
Hope this helps, if you have any more questions let me know.

Tyler
Customer Support"

This raised alarm bells as different manufacturers place the serial numbers in different places.

Regardless, I don't think this is a gun I'd spend money on, would you?

Nope, I wouldn't buy it.

Why buy trouble???

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Anyone considering buying a gun with its frame serial number defaced should read their local laws in addition to the better publicized federal law. Due to Washington's law I would not accept it as a gift or even touch it.

In my 7th grade business law class it was taught that contracts to commit crimes are not enforceable. In other words, if the auction ends with you the highest bidder neither the auction site nor the seller can require you to buy the gun. If either tells you that you are obligated to buy that 1917 offer to bring in BATFE or your choice of police to arbitrate.

I would contact the seller and tell them your have to withdraw your bid because the removed s/n on the butt of the frame is considered illegal by the BATFE unless it's been re-stamped somewhere else on the frame like the side of the grip frame under the stock.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Under federal law the butt serial number could only be restamped with BATFE's written permission and BATFE would choose the new number.

Completing a crime arranged on the public internet would be idiotic beyond belief. Repeating myself, read your local law.

You have no legal requirement to complete the purchase of an illegal item as by doing so, it places you in jeopardy. And you should not.

"...unless it's been re-stamped somewhere else on the frame like the side of the grip frame under the stock." meaning already as in the past.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hello Jim,
I could have worded my reply better. I meant to say an old restamping would only be a legal replacement s/n if it was done with BATFE's approval. How paranoid a fellow should be about this stuff depends a lot on where he lives.

To keep sales up with Trump in office Ruger has introduced some tempting new revolvers. I have not bought any of them yet, mostly because I have not been shooting as much. How about you?

Before 1968 a re-stamp of the original # would not concern BATFE. And it would be impossible to ascertain when a re-stamp was done.

I have not been tempted yet, 'knock on wood'. Happy with what I have presently and haven't shot much either lately. In the old days I had much fewer guns, much less money, but shot a lot more!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Having been in the business for 50 years, these discussions are quite entertaining. If you guys dont run from this stuff, you are not aware of your surroundings. If you want to deal with BATFE, go for it . The gun is mutilated, its junk, scrap. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Not too long ago, there was a thread here started by someone who had purchased a revolver with the SN removed, and he had contacted BATFE about getting a new SN assigned. I don't remember seeing anything about how that's coming along. I am very interested in learning the outcome. But by far the best advice if you are considering buying any modern gun with a mutilated or missing original SN is DON'T.

Just like I said in that other thread-

From the rules-
NOTE the line that says:
There are ten replies to this thread.
Is there some word in that sentence you guys don't understand?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett