Triple Lock Serial #

I occasionally shoot a .38 DA top-braek, and even with the puny .38 S&W cartridge, it is painful to get your fingers hit by the trigger guard in recoil with the standard black rubber stocks on it. I put some oversize combat wood stocks for a J-frame on it, and while it looks strange, it makes a world of difference.
 
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Back in the day, there were several large hardware distributors whose bread and butter business was distributing merchandise to local hardware stores around the USA. In addition to Shapleigh, there was Belknap (Louisville) and Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett (Chicago), among others. They often sold various products under house-brand names, and also distributed a large variety of firearms and ammunition. With the advent of the Big Box stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, being an independent local hardware store not a particularly good business to be in at present, but some still hang in there as part of national chains, such as Ace and Tru-Value. Few carry guns, but some still do.
 
The # 7651 assembly # on the frame in the 'yoke cut' was not filed off and restamped. That's the originl factory stamping and the # that should be there to match the sideplate #.
Actually, "they" did grind the assembly number off. The grinder marks are visible. The restamped number was made with larger number stamps that are also a different font.


There is no number in the extractor shroud under the barrel but it doesn't look like there ever was . The blue is good there.
I'll bet it is there and you are missing it.
Triple Lock barrel numbers are tiny, AND they are in the tiny little recess for the ejector rod knob at the very front of the shroud. Since there are 5 digits, you know they must be small. Oil, rust, dirt, and gunk will hide them.
 
Even though the butt numeral stamping may have been performed many years ago, it does bring the legality of the revolver into question. Under GCA-68, any defacement or removal of the original serial number is prohibited. And the only legal SN for a S&W is the one on the butt. While the probability of getting into trouble under this statute may be miniscule, it is definitely not zero. At best, anyone knowing the law would refuse to buy it from you. I know that I would.


I was under the impression that guns before 1968 can have a re-stamped serial number as long as it was done pre 68. Isn't this true per the gun control act of that time??

Which in turn makes that Revolver 100% legal?? Due to its age??

Experts please?

Lee I think we have discussed this on the past, but do not remember our final conclusion
 
OK there is a ground place where the ejector rod knob rest .I did not think they would put it in that small of a place.
 
I was under the impression that guns before 1968 can have a re-stamped serial number as long as it was done pre 68. Isn't this true per the gun control act of that time??

Which in turn makes that Revolver 100% legal?? Due to its age??

Experts please?

Lee I think we have discussed this on the past, but do not remember our final conclusion

I don't think so. This is the full and exact text from 18 USC Chapter 44, Paragraph 922 (Illegal Acts):

(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

There are no exceptions to this passage stated in the act for post-1898 firearms. "Any firearm" means any firearm (as defined in GCA-68). Unless BATFE has issued later advisory guidance concerning enforcement of the contents of GCA-68 regarding pre-1968 firearms, I think the wording of the statute is clear.
 
I don't think so. This is the full and exact text from 18 USC Chapter 44, Paragraph 922 (Illegal Acts):

(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

There are no exceptions stated in the act. "Any firearm" means any firearm (as defined in GCA-68). Unless BATFE has issued later advisory guidance concerning enforcement of the contents of GCA-68 regarding pre-1968 firearms, I think the wording of the statute is clear.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me,I do not see any exclusion dates.
 
There are BATFE procedures for assigning a new "Official" serial number under somewhat limited circumstances. However, I'd rather not try.
 
Actually, "they" did grind the assembly number off. The grinder marks are visible. The restamped number was made with larger number stamps that are also a different font.


Well I have to say, yeah you're right.


I'll bet it is there and you are missing it.
Triple Lock barrel numbers are tiny, AND they are in the tiny little recess for the ejector rod knob at the very front of the shroud. Since there are 5 digits, you know they must be small. Oil, rust, dirt, and gunk will hide them.

True, one has to look for these with the mind set that they are there and just have to be found.
 
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