I came across a nice gun (S&W pistol 1950s vintage) last week that I would have loved to own. The seller is asking a few hundred above what I feel is the fair market value. The reason is the serial number, its a four digit sequential number, like 4567.

To me its, kinda neat but, also so what. Its not a one or two digit number. I suppose if it was your special date it would be of value.

What are your thoughts on this?

In cases like that, I ask myself, if I were to sell it, could I expect to get a premium for it. In this case I would say, probably not.

Other than a low serial number I don't think it adds any value at all. I had a model 60 that had a three letter 4 digit serial number, the numbers were "0000" which I thought was cool, but I didn't pay more for it, and when I sold it I didn't get anything extra because of it.

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Dave

I would have paid an extra $25 for the number ending in 0000.

Don't think I would have paid more than that.

Bekeart.

I have a 5" Pre 27 whose serial number is XX2727 which I think is kinda neat. Whether a future buyer would think enough of it to pay any premium is open to question. Maybe, maybe not time will tell.

I have an Italian SXS I bought in Italy which has a 199 serial number. Interesting but of no value I guess.
I also have a 4 digit serial number Ruger Red Eagle my buddy gave me before he died. Checking with the factory I learned it was an early model and likely built in Ruger's garage when they first started making them. It seems in those years they skipped a bunch of numbers so it was in effect a low number gun with a higher serial number.
I traded off a 629 with a member here that had a serial number like BRU6100 or something similar. It made no difference in the trade but the fact it was NIB with papers meant something.

I have a Colt Diamondback Ser#D77777. I did not pay more for it.

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OHH NOOO!!!

That sums it up pretty well.

How about 666, or 911
Steve W

Probably Reg Mag 001...

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Even older, even crankier....

unless it has some special significance to someone. Any seller who thinks a certain SN commands a premium should widely advertise to find the person who cares.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

H3
Dick
J 3
M3
D3

These are kind of interesting

.357 Magnum Serial No. 47022 would bring a few extra dollars

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

I'd pay a little extra for a Springfield Garand ser# 4314215

I got a real nice 32 H-E from a Forum member, that
had a six-digit, three numbers repeating S/N. The S/N
wasn't all that special to me, but the fact of the previous
owner Did make it special.
I'd pay a premium for an H&R M14 with S/N 4646464.
That one was special, IMO. TACC1

Yes, I've got 666. Its on a M1953 Kit gun. No, its not for sale. If you want it, you'll pay dearly.

Some of us will pay more for a gun with a low or interesting serial #. The fact that we will is why we have them and you don't. Its OK for you to say you won't, but then stop crying when other people have them. We didn't think it was a waste of money then or now.

The world is full of stories about serials. Yes, RM 0001 is worth tens of thousands more.

There was a Winchester M70 that needed some minor repair. The owner took it to a gun shop and they couldn't find a serial, just the number 1 in all the places where you'd expect to find a number. It was all the owner could do to get out of the shop with his gun. Pushy folks who hope to be buyers, then want to bargain you down. But the shop owner knew who the guy was. Soon there was a rented limo with some bigwig offering equally big bucks for it. So yes, he got a new gun, a bunch of money, and his name on a plaque. Me, I only have #202. And I didn't have to pay more for it. But I would have. I handled #2 once. The seller wanted $33,000 at that time. He finally sold it for under $20,000. Had I known that kind of price was possible, I'd have been the buyer.

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Dick Burg

So I guess I can sum this up with, numbers dont matter unless they do

Seriously, low numbers are always good in older guns. Single and double digits are collectible on their own. Sometimes triple digits are expensive too.

Know numbers, 666, 911, and similar also have a following and can add value.

The rest of the numbers would have a connection to a buyer or seller at a personal level, your birthday etc. Dont really have any cash value, just bragging rights.

So after all that I should have bought the Python with a mid to low three digit serial number last week for $2500 in great shape.

The gun I was interested in (and started the thread about) a M41 with a 4 digit sn is still over priced...

The hunt goes on

The lowest serial number I own is an Anschutz target rifle with 001 on it. Yes, I still shoot it. I have turned down some substantial offers by those in the know......

Randy