Help with serial # of stolen gun

[cromagnonmatt]

Hello All, so happy to see a forum like this exists! I inherited my dads guns (who recently passed away) and as I began gathering them up, discovered his model 1917 .45 was missing. Long story short, its been determined that it must have been stolen around the time of his death, but he fortunately recorded all the serial numbers.
My dillema though, is that the recorded serial number "w-9024" doesn't fall into any categories I can find. He has had the gun for at least 40 yrs. Can anyone tell me if this is indeed the serial number (for reporting purposes)? Thanks everyone!

 

[SAFireman]

That was likely an assembly number that was found inside the crane. The serial number (as applied by the factory, would have been stamped into the butt of the frame.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Absalom]

I would certainly report the gun stolen, with as many details as you have, but as SAFireman said, you do not appear to have the serial number.

That recorded number from somewhere else on the gun can still be useful for positive identification and establishment of ownership if (and I don't know your story) there is a known suspect and the police get a hold of a gun which fits the description.

But if a theft report gets entered into NCIC with that number, the chance of it linking back to you even if it is recovered somewhere is pretty much zero, since any knowledgeable LEO would enter a query with the real serial number from the butt and would not get a hit on your report.

 

[cromagnonmatt]

Agreed. I need the serial number if there is any hope of tracking it down. On another thread there is reference to a service at Smith and Wesson to provide a history of your gun for $50. Do you know if they can correlate the assembly number with the true serial number?

 

[Dennis The B]

Agreed. I need the serial number if there is any hope of tracking it down. On another thread there is reference to a service at Smith and Wesson to provide a history of your gun for $50. Do you know if they can correlate the assembly number with the true serial number?

The assembly numbers are used to keep critically fit parts together during the production process. Unfortunately, there are no cross-references to serial numbers.

 

[Art Doc]

Sorry for your loss.

I think you're out of luck. You need the serial to search for the gun. The assembly number is useless once it leaves the factory. Report it stolen and anyone around your dad when he passed can be asked but seriously, most police will tell you all they have time to do is take a report.

Have you considered that he may have given it away or sold it before he passed?

 

[DWalt]

I'll agree with the others. Without the "legal" SN from the butt, you are pretty much dead in the water. I doubt if NCIC would even accept the assembly number even if you did submit a theft report.

 

[Squarebutt]

Condolences on the loss of your father. I can't offer any better advice than what you've already gotten, but would only suggest that you go over the house again with a fine tooth comb to be sure he didn't hide it in a tool box or up in the rafters. Wouldn't be the first such situation. I would also talk to any of his buddies that might know if he gave it, sold it or loaned it out. It seems odd that someone would only steal one ancient revolver and leave the other guns. Next place I'd look is with other family members. I have some experience with guns going to grabby relatives.

 

[F75gunslinger]

Depending on where you're from, you may be able to find the number out from local authorities. In NY the county clerk's office keeps track of pistol permits and what handgun is registered to who.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Sorry about the loss of your father and of his revolver.

Go ahead and file a theft report and give the officer that number. As a former ACJIS/NCIC (Alabama Criminal Justice Information System/National Crime Information Center) operator, I know that you can list all sorts of information in the system. Now it is likely that S&W recycled that assembly number, it wouldn't have been used on another 1917 revolver.

Make sure the reporting officer/deputy is aware that this "w-9024" number is probably stamped on the frame behind the cylinder yoke.

Unfortunately, most cops are not firearms savvy. Many would not know WHERE on a an older S&W the serial number is supposed to be located.

Since serial numbers can be duplicated not only internally to a gun company, but also among different companies, it is very, very important to give as good a description to the reporting officer as you can.

For a standard S&W 1917, I would describe it as "a six shot double action S&W revolver, blue finish, 5 1/2" barrel, fixed sights consisting of a half round front sight and a rear notch. It has smooth walnut grips and has a lanyard loop on the butt. It is also marked on the butt "US ARMY MODEL OF 1917", with an unknown serial number, and "S&W DA .45" on the side of the barrel. It is also marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" on the underside of the barrel. It is chambered for .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim cartridges.

Hope you get it back intact.

 

[686-380]

Is there any possibility that he etched his info anywhere?

 

[gboling]

Depending on the state you live in and your police department,you may impose on the police to run your father for guns registered to him. Providing,of course, that this gun was registered to him and your state maintains such records.

 

[2152hq]

When a stolen gun report is made, there is plenty of room for 'misc info' to be given.
On the NCIC Gun Entry (GENT) there is a place for Misc Info about the stolen firearm. Often that info includes things such as a specific style or type of grip, an engraved name, emblem or feature, an added sight or scope,,things of that nature.
It can also have info entered such as this in that area. Explaining that the ser# given may actually be a factory assembly or non-serial identification number and further note it's probable location on the gun.

It has happened, and guns have been recovered like this.
I've have had everything from patent numbers on guns to assembly numbers to peoples SS# that were electropenciled onto guns given to me to run at times in attempts to pull one out of the system when I dispatched. On a couple of occasions it worked.

There are countless thousands,,maybe millions of guns in the NCIC that are in there under assembly numbers, and inspection numbers instead of their real serial numbers. That's simply because of people unfamiliar with guns handling the reporting and taking the reports. It just happens. Not everyone is a gun enthusiast.

Get it into the system anyway you can but with an explanation in the misc info. There's always a chance some L/E/O will be curious enough or perhaps unknowing enough to run an assembly number someday and get a 'hit'.