Hi, I recently picked up this model 15 that has what looks like a case number or rack number in the frame from an electrical pencil. I remember years ago seeing unknown models being sold with the same types of marking which leads me to believe they are rack number. If anyone had any information on where my gun came from or who was selling them back then. it would be great.
Model 15 markings
- Thread starter Johnluger
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My son manages a local gun store here in Central Florida that specializes in LEO sales. They routinely take in bulk shipments of police dept. and security company trade-ins including training revolvers/pistols, evidence guns, etc. These markings look like they could be a case number and that this was an evidence gun that was released by some police dept. Almost impossible to tell its provenance, but it's probably a great shooter.
I would say that it is too long to be a rack number. I strongly suspect that HawgRider is right.
That is a case number - no doubt. Handguns are rarely "racked" like shotguns and rifles which will usually have a number painted on the stock so it can be identified quickly when signing in and out. Any gun I ever sent to the forensics lab for ballistic examination came back with the case number etched into the frame. Simple answer is so the examiner can testify in court that is the gun which was examined. They could give a snap about gun value.
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Birdhunter6
Member
Back in the 70s you would see used guns marked with previous owners DL or SS #!
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
And some of their children and grandchildren are doing it still.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
It looks like a 14.
It is a Case Number. Some Police Department's even marked their Officer's revolver if it was part of a Case.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
The markings look similar to those on the rusty tide of guns Century Arms bought from the Puerto Rico police a couple of years ago. Most wound up at Sportsman's Warehouse stores across the country. They were mostly evidence guns (hence the case numbers) but some old duty guns, too. The evidence guns had been haphazardly stored in a warehouse which got soaked and battered during one hurricane or another. Rust abounded. Some were pretty good, though.
I bought a bunch of them - a 3" Model 13, a 2" Model 12, a snub 66, a Ruger Police Service Six, a couple of Beretta 92s, a 5906 and a 6906, and some others I've forgotten about. The prices ranged from pretty low to ridiculously high. They all sold eventually, though.
I bet the OP's gun is one of those.
I bought a bunch of them - a 3" Model 13, a 2" Model 12, a snub 66, a Ruger Police Service Six, a couple of Beretta 92s, a 5906 and a 6906, and some others I've forgotten about. The prices ranged from pretty low to ridiculously high. They all sold eventually, though.
I bet the OP's gun is one of those.
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SGT ROCK 11B
Member
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Nope. Came from Puerto Rico so not required.
I know the Colt duty guns lettered as shipped to PR. I never bothered with any of the ones I got. They had a Colt Viper that was a rusted mess but was priced like it was NIB.
I bought the 66 pictured above for about $100 off the price on the tag and had to cut the Packy's off because the screw was rusted so badly. I replaced the rear sight blade, which was an adventure, but it cleaned up pretty well. I gave it to my nephew for his birthday.
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