MODEL 28-2 NEED HELP!!!!

[Jim Watson]

I think you will be right to take it back.
I think the under-yoke serial number was removed with felonious intent and ignorance of the butt location concealed by the target grips.

I think there are untold numbers of Smith & Wessons with "assembly numbers" on their paperwork because the butt was covered by target grips, but before they started putting the serial number under the yoke.

There was a case like that here where my friend the Gun Guy at the pawn shop was offered a "scrubbed" Smith and Wesson. He loaned the customer a few bucks and called police and BATF immediately he walked out the door. There was a serial number remaining somewhere on the gun, so they tracked it back to the owner it had been stolen from and returned it to him. That was a long time ago, I don't know if the feds would be so obliging now.

 

[Art Doc]

To me, if you had to fill out a 4473 you bought from a FFL. The gun would be on the dealer’s book, and the Serial Number would be on the 4473 when transferred. Which I would presume would protect you in some ways.

No protection needed. Police realize most stolen guns are bought by people not realizing they are stolen. I bought a stolen gun many years ago. Cops took it and I was out what I paid for it. Nobody thought I was a criminal.

 

[stansdds]

It sounds like you are really unhappy with this purchase. The seller agreed to refund your money, I say take him up on the offer and look for a Model 28 that will satisfy that itch.

 

[Art Doc]

[I missed it. How do you KNOW the gun is legal? OK, went back and apparently the original serial is still on butt. So you are good as long as it hasn't been reported stolen. You haven't had any problems so far so it's likely you won't. Keep it or return as you please.

 

[GerSan69]

Sorry, man. It's the internet. People don't always get exactly what you're trying to say, no matter how "clear" you think you are. It happens to all of us, me too.
As for your gun, it's been nearly two weeks and you still are up in the air? There's only one answer:
"Come on, man!"

 

[Narragansett]

Glad I did not have to wrestle this problem 6 times.

 

[ggibson511960]

Will You Ever Sell It?

Like many here, I'm confident your 28-2 is legal. No telling what happened to it, but it has been run through NCIS and comes up clean. The trouble will come if you try to sell it and have to convince a buyer it's O.K. If nothing else it raises doubts, just as it has for you, and buyers will either pass or de-value it. I am with the voters for taking it back. You might pay a bit more to find another nice example with target grips for $650, but you never know. I paid $175, NIB, for mine several Presidents ago.

 

[Hillbilly77]

If it was in a pawn shop, it's NOT a hot gun. The serial number is no big deal, the one on the butt is the one that matters and I would have no worries keeping it. And whoever told you that you paid too much is not living on the same planet I'm on, $650 is not bad at all for the gun and those grips. I hope I can get one I'm looking at for the same price. If I could find a good one for $450, well, I would have a bunch of them, instead of just the 6" one I happily paid $700 for last year.

I was thinking the same thing.
I’ll buy all the 28-2s you’ll sell to me for $450.00

 

[GerSan69]

Glad I did not have to wrestle this problem 6 times.

'Gansett, you should let me help you with your hoarding problem!

 

[ditrina]

Were done all question have been answered