- Joined
- Dec 2, 2018
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 6
Hello all,
This is the first post for me. Please bear with me. I recently picked up a model 18-3 (ramp sight and taper barrel) that came with a S&W blue box, paper wrap and brush. It has 2 different serial numbers on it. Stamped on the yoke it is marked 7Kxxxx and on the bottom of the grip it is marked 8Kxxxx. Of course I have chosen the x to not give away the whole serial number. The thing is the "x" numbers match, same in both places. Same numbers in the same order. Still with me?
I guess your first question is, what does the box say? Original writing shows 7Kxxxx consistent with the yoke. The 7 has been overwritten to try to change it to an 8 and then just scribbled over that. Kxxxx is still original. The complete 8Kxxxx number has been written to the left of the original in a different pen and handwriting. The other characteristics on the box, TH, TT, barrel length and finish all correctly depict the gun and are original untouched.
I purchased this used a couple months ago at a national retailer. They included a note as to the 2 different numbers per my request so if there was a major problem I would be refunded. They said it was run through an FBI type check against stolen serial numbers when it was brought in and I asked them to do it again, both sets of numbers, while I waited. They came back and said it was OK. Well I have been wanting an 18 for a long time so I bought it. I insisted they knock some off the price for the trouble and I got it lowered another $50.
Sooo... to those in the know, is there a reasonable explanation to what I got going on? Has the factory ever goofed up serial numbers by a digit? Is fraud of some sort likely? Don't even offer to take it off my hands because she is the sweetest revolver I have ever come across. It's going to the grandkid after I'm finished with it.
Thanks in advance for any insight. I am off to bed and will check back tomorrow.
This is the first post for me. Please bear with me. I recently picked up a model 18-3 (ramp sight and taper barrel) that came with a S&W blue box, paper wrap and brush. It has 2 different serial numbers on it. Stamped on the yoke it is marked 7Kxxxx and on the bottom of the grip it is marked 8Kxxxx. Of course I have chosen the x to not give away the whole serial number. The thing is the "x" numbers match, same in both places. Same numbers in the same order. Still with me?
I guess your first question is, what does the box say? Original writing shows 7Kxxxx consistent with the yoke. The 7 has been overwritten to try to change it to an 8 and then just scribbled over that. Kxxxx is still original. The complete 8Kxxxx number has been written to the left of the original in a different pen and handwriting. The other characteristics on the box, TH, TT, barrel length and finish all correctly depict the gun and are original untouched.
I purchased this used a couple months ago at a national retailer. They included a note as to the 2 different numbers per my request so if there was a major problem I would be refunded. They said it was run through an FBI type check against stolen serial numbers when it was brought in and I asked them to do it again, both sets of numbers, while I waited. They came back and said it was OK. Well I have been wanting an 18 for a long time so I bought it. I insisted they knock some off the price for the trouble and I got it lowered another $50.
Sooo... to those in the know, is there a reasonable explanation to what I got going on? Has the factory ever goofed up serial numbers by a digit? Is fraud of some sort likely? Don't even offer to take it off my hands because she is the sweetest revolver I have ever come across. It's going to the grandkid after I'm finished with it.
Thanks in advance for any insight. I am off to bed and will check back tomorrow.
