Serial Number Location

[LubeckTech]

After bidding on a Model 10 in a GunBroker Auction I noticed in the pictures the serial number area of the butt bottom was ground off and the seller said someone had ground down part of the butt. The seller (says he has an FFL) claims he got the gun from the Suffolk County (NY?) Police Department and the gun's serial number is on the side of the frame under the grip. I own many K frames and just pickedup a 10-6 stubby tonight all of which have the SN on the bottom of the butt. I took the grips off my latest aquisition a few minutes ago and under the grips there is a 5 digit number that bears no connection to the SN. What is this number? My bid in this mess is currently the high one but if I am not outbid the transaction ain't gonna happen because from everything I can tell this gun is NOT legal to posess, sell or transoprt.

 

[TAROMAN]

Nice model 10s are not difficult to find.
Why even bother with a defaced one?
What you refer to is an assembly number.
FFLs commonly mistake them for the serial number.
Regardless what the seller's excuses are, I would not accept it, even if it means getting a "bad boy" mark

 

[murphydog]

On S & W revolvers, 99.9% of the time the true SN is on the bottom of the grip frame; depending on the model it may also be on the frame under the barrel. In the other 0.1% (on certain models with factory stocks that covered this area), it is on the front grip frame. Very rarely, the factory would restamp the SN on the side of the grip frame when installing a lanyard ring.

I would suggest informing the prospective seller of the gun on which you bid of this, and politely suggest he close the auction and not expect payment due to it not being a legal firearm.

For future reference, here is the best ID thread here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/320930-identify-your-gun-updated.html

 

[mkk41]

I saw this gun on GB!

No matter what BS story he tries to feed ya , ANY alteration or removal of the serial number is a deal breaker and possibly a felony!

If the seller won't retract the ad or let you cancel , send the ad to the local ATF office.

 

[LubeckTech]

He says if I don't want the gun it is OK.
I told him not to take my word for it but to contact S&W and they would confirm the gun has been basically ruined.

 

[murphydog]

Good to hear. Just wanted to mention that depending on the exact vintage of the gun, the serial number is stamped elsewhere on the gun (rear cylinder face, barrel flat near the ejector rod). I have read of instances when the ATF has allowed a verifiable SN elsewhere to be restamped on the grip frame by an authorized gunsmith. This probably involves a lot of paperwork and hassle.

 

[mkk41]

This is soooo wrong!