It's no matter to me I guess that it's not really worth much, if you look closely you can faintly see the 8 on the butt... I'm not worried about the serial number per say. Given that it is more or less worthless aside from sentimental value, I guess I can go ahead and clean it up to refinish and reblue... new grips also to follow. It is a damn reliable and nice shooting little pistol. Still glad to have it. Thank you for the help!