1917 on it's way/Has Arrived!

[Art Doc]

You never answered my question. Is the serial on the barrel and cylinder?

If so, here's what I would do.

I would buy a set of number stamps and put the number on the frame under the stock. There's no reason to believe the serial off the parts isn't correct for the gun, someone just got carried away with the polishing during the refinish.

I would re-stamp the number and keep the gun.

 

[Deacon KC]

I just spoke with the dealer and we have provenance on the history and background of the gun. The SNs are still on the barrel and cylinder, so now it just becomes a matter of getting the ok letter to restamp the butt with the correct number.

 

[John Deere]

Originally posted by Stophel:
You've already got the gun, asking everyone if it is "legal"....ESPECIALLY asking someone in the ATF is just stirring up a hornets nest. Keep it and be happy. No one needs to know anything about the serial number.

For the most part I agree. If you really like the revolver, keep it.

Of course, you might return it and find an even nicer one that doesn't have the serial number problems that your gun has.

Honestly, if it were me, I'd never have purchased a firearm that didn't have its original SN intact. But that's just me. I'm just trying to give you another way of looking at the situation.

Go with what your gut tells you to do! Good luck either way!!

JD

 

[Deacon KC]

Well, talked with ATF today. It is ok to have the original number restamped, so I will have it done on the side of the frame, under the grip panel so there is no question of trying to "alter" the number. A letter is also on it's way explaining the procedure.
On the matter of keeping it, with the missing number, I am not about to endanger my license, my family's livelihood and prison for a revolver, any revolver. I was curious as to what the legal recourses were in a matter like this, as many very good guns are out there like this. How can an individual reclaim one, rather than seeing it destroyed.
All that said, again, a number destroyed in good faith [ignorance] is world's apart from one that was mutilated to try to hide it's past.

 

[npd136]

I understand your reasoning. Is it a violation of the law to possess? Yes. Would you be charged under those curcumstances? Probably not. Would it be seized and destoyed? Yes. Criminal intent is not needed to be a voilation, but to get a prosecutor to file is another matter. My father gave me a very nice Colt DA 38 that my greatgrandfather owned. When I looked it over I found that the serial number had been ground and filed away. I removed all the useable parts and destroyed the frame. As much as I hated to do it, as you said, it was not worth the risk. The advantage you have is being able to locate the number and to restamp it.

 

[Deacon KC]

Very well put. In 99.9999999% of the cases like this, it would have been a no-brainer to return the gun.

 

[Art Doc]

Nobody is ever prosecuted for these. Happens all the time to folks who buy guns not realizing the number has been removed. They just confiscate the gun.

You have the original number, just stamp it on the frame and be done with it. You are not risking your license, or freedom or anything else. It's not that big a deal.

 

[53wrenches]

Could all this be be explained by the forum name: Deacon53?

The resistance to sin and commit a crime against the state may be the part of the issue here...Common sense may be the key to this post, given the possible position of this poster.....

 

[chillypepper]

it is posible to have the numbers raised. it involves striping the finish off and apliing an acid. the acid reacts with the steele and shows a pattern caused by the stamping process, that actually distorts the steele. even if the numbers are totaly ground off. the numbers can be read in this manner, its only a matter of checking the numbers (to make sure its not stolen) and having them restamped.
there used to be a huge market for (stolen)motorcycle frames. these would have the vin # removed and then a fake one stamped over it. acid rasing would show the truth to what was altered every time. however there are ways around this, and it's not very hard to do. but i'm not gonn'a put it out on public air waves. but theres also ways to test for this aswell.
and i certanly would have the numbers restamped in a differant location, but you be required to put them in the original location. i just dont know the law on that one. good luck. c.p.

 

[Stophel]

Originally posted by npd136:
I understand your reasoning. Is it a violation of the law to possess? Yes. Would you be charged under those curcumstances? Probably not. Would it be seized and destoyed? Yes. Criminal intent is not needed to be a voilation, but to get a prosecutor to file is another matter. My father gave me a very nice Colt DA 38 that my greatgrandfather owned. When I looked it over I found that the serial number had been ground and filed away. I removed all the useable parts and destroyed the frame. As much as I hated to do it, as you said, it was not worth the risk. The advantage you have is being able to locate the number and to restamp it.

That's pretty sad that you did that. What risk? I mean, who's EVER going to know that the serial number was removed? Who's EVER going to know that you even have the gun? The ATF must be happy to know that they have people THAT spooked.

 

[Deacon KC]

First off, I work with ATF Investigators as part of my job as a Parole Agent. The guys out of the St. Louis office are great people who are out to nail criminals, not crucify the honest. I know there have been some hideous abuses by ATF over the years, but I was able to get a real answer that shows an honest person can get treated fairly with an honest problem. It might not be the same everywhere else. I did wind up sending the pistol back, but that was not because of the SN, but rather because the US markings being gone. So unfortunately, I'm once again on the lookout for a 1917.

 

[digi-shots]

Deacon,

Sorry this one didn't work out. I have a feeling a better deal will be coming your way soon!

 

[Deacon KC]

Thanks, I will find one eventually. I am a collector/shooter of WW1 and 2 firearms, so the martial markings are important to me.

 

[John Deere]

I, like you, prize the US markings on military issue guns, so I'm not surprised you sent it back (which is what I would have done as soon as I opened the box and took a look at the gun).

There are quite a few out there, so it should not be all that difficult for you to find a really nice one. Best of luck in your search!

JD