Curious serial number Model 64

[Wilson Custom Guns]

Hi,
I buy quite a few model 10 and model 64 revolvers around Europe as they are often little used (sometimes unfired) and kept as a hunting backup. The early 70's guns are really nice to work on. Recently I've bought a couple of mint model 64 4"s and one has a strange serial number. Normally to read the number you look at the butt with the barrel pointing to your left , and on that vintage the numbers are D****** or 1D****** etc etc. but on this gun the number is upside down, and has no letter prefix, the number is 358756. is this normal?
Any help appreciated

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello, we like pics.? Any possible? Mike 2796

 

[murphydog]

If it is a blued gun, you likely found a .38 Military & Police (the model 10's ancestor) from the early-mid 1920s. If it is a model 64 the serial number has been altered. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Wilson Custom Guns]

Thanks guys,
I think you are correct that the number has been changed. The font is not correct to the period, and the frame appears to be about .020" short compared to others. It has 1972 German proof marks, and all other features are correct for that era. I will get the frame dye-penetration tested or Magnafluxed to see if there is any residual evidence of the number.
Cheers