S&W 6591 microstamp on frame

[cololab]

I just looked at a 6591 that has the complete serial number microstamped on the frame below the slide stop cut but in a location that is covered by the grip. Was this something S&W did at some point or was it done sometime post production? I've just not seen this on a frame before.

 

[Alk8944]

That was done by S&W, it is factory. It was as insurance in the event the obvious serial number had been deliberately obliterated.

 

[Sevens]

Have you got a picture that captures it well that you can share?

 

[cololab]

Here's a photo of the microstamp.

 

[Sevens]

Model 6454, 1 of 10 (UPDATE 8/2/2015) Now 2 of 10

Post 36 in this thread. The pics you can see show another serial number microstamp. Unfortunately, these are Photobucket images so you can't do anything with them except notice what I am pointing out.

But you can see microstamped serial number in a slightly different location here.

I also tried to capture it from a pistol I had. As this pistol is blued (black?) it certainly has a different look.





These pictures are from a Performance Center 952-1.

-MY THEORY-
S&W was attempting to test technology. There was a lot of talk on the subject of microstamping and firearms for a while.

I believe S&W eventually abandoned this technology or at the very least they shelved it indefinitely. I have looked at many S&W 3rd Gens and PC semiautomatic pistols made later and have not found evidence of miscrostamping.

It's interesting, and would be more interesting if we had some information from a former insider.

 

[JohnHL]

Not micro stamping, but I have seen micro laser engraving of serial numbers on S&W frames.

John

 

[Heymatt]

From my CHP