Serial numbers alike

[bwade]

Does anyone know if it is very common to have serial numbered alike guns? I have recently come across a guy selling a collection of single digit Smiths. All letter prefixes are different, but the number is 0006. Someone, somewhere took the time to assemble the collection, but it looks to be eleven pieces in total, mostly N frames, blue and nickel, all are 3" except for the 27-8s which are 5" and 3 1/2". All 11 pieces appear to be absolutely new in box, and no two are the same.

If I get the whole collection, they price out at about average used GB price. I think the models for the collections are 24, 25, 29, and a 36 ladysmith and made about same time as the 27-8s. Dont know the dashes for the other models.

Opinions?

 

[murphydog]

If the collection appeals to you and the price is right, why not? Especially if you really like the number 6.

 

[bwade]

I would prefer number 1 or 7, but at least the collector didn't quit at three.

I think they may be Lew Horton stuff, they all look like 3" 24-3s, but they are newer than that.

 

[eveled]

Ruger used to have a subscription service. You owned that number when a new gun was made you had to buy the gun.

S&W did not do this that I know of, sounds like somebody worked for Lew Horton and pulled the 6's as they came in.

If they are what you want, I say buy them. Pretty neat just to have a low number let alone a single digit set. Ed

 

[handgunner356]

There was a series of guns offered once I believe it was from Elliott Brothers. Seems like you got a new gun every so often, I want to say it was called the "American Series" and was 12 different guns and a total of 50 sets. I sure someone with more info will jump in here.

 

[colt_saa]

Does anyone know if it is very common to have serial numbered alike guns? I have recently come across a guy selling a collection of single digit Smiths. All letter prefixes are different, but the number is 0006. Someone, somewhere took the time to assemble the collection, but it looks to be eleven pieces in total, mostly N frames, blue and nickel, all are 3" except for the 27-8s which are 5" and 3 1/2". All 11 pieces appear to be absolutely new in box, and no two are the same.

If I get the whole collection, they price out at about average used GB price. I think the models for the collections are 24, 25, 29, and a 36 ladysmith and made about same time as the 27-8s. Dont know the dashes for the other models.

Opinions?

When all the guns come from a single Distributor it is easy to do what you are describing. Without knowing better it sounds like the Lew Hortons that were done in 2006 and 2007. I bet those 3" revolvers are all square butt, built on the 4 screw frames. 24-6, 25-13 and 29-10 were the engineering revisions

I like serial numbers and I have worked hard over the decades to get specific numbers on firearms. It means making contacts, learning about releases early and having distributors or manufacturers hold pieces for you. Surprisingly some even come to you by pure luck. I have several S&Ws whose number is my birthday.

I have one of each 8 shot model 27 variation every produced (2000-2007) all with the same number, all unfired since leaving the factory.

My IPSC 10th Anniversary 745 and my IPSC 20th anniversary Colt are both the same serial number even though they are two different manufacturers and produced a decade apart

I also own many Colts with the number 183 or 43 as these were serial numbers owned by relatives back in the day when Colt let you own a number.


When Lew Horton commissioned the first run of 8 shot 627s back in 1997, I tried to get number 357. I was told only 300 would be made and that was is. So I bought number 27. A few months later they called me telling me these sold out faster than any other firearm they had done and offered me number 357. Number 27 is the one in the upper left that I shoot and number 357 is the one in the upper right and remains unfired since leaving the factory.

When Colt re-introduced the series 70 pistol I had number 70 sent to me.

When the United States Military Academy's Bi Centennial class graduated in 2002, I had serial number 45 of the class pistol put aside for me.

My 625 Lite Hunter chambered in 45 Long Colt is serial number CLT0045

My Thunder Ranch Revolver model 22 is TRR0022

I am right now building an AR-10 rifle serial number CAL308

If you decide to pass on the package, I would like the opportunity to add it to my collection.

 

[colt_saa]

There was a series of guns offered once I believe it was from Elliott Brothers. Seems like you got a new gun every so often, I want to say it was called the "American Series" and was 12 different guns and a total of 50 sets. I sure someone with more info will jump in here.

The Twelve Revolvers was indeed an Elliot Brothers Exclusive offering back in 1990. 500 sets were manufactured. One revolver was shipped each month.

Once you had your number, that same number in the next revolver was automatically shipped to you.

Each revolver had a name and a laser etched scene to match.

17 – “The Revolver” , 6” nickel, .22lr
14 – “Last Stand”, 8 3/8” nickel, .38
19 – “Hands Off”, 6” nickel, .357
66 – “Critical Moment”, 6” stainless, .357
686 – “With the Wolfhounds”, 6” stainless, .357
27 – “Outnumbered”, 6 ½” blued, .357
57 – “Last Cartridge”, 6” blued, .41 mag
24 – “Through the Line”, 6 ½” blued, .44sp
29 – “The Attack”, 8 3/8” blued, .44mag
29 – “Hostiles”, 8 3/8” blued, .44mag
629 – “Mountain Lion”, 4” stainless, .44mag
25 – “The Horse Thief”, 8 3/8” blued, .45

Roy Jinks wrote a book of the same name. I think there were 2000 of those produced.

This was a VERY hard limited edition to sell. Not all of the sets were sold complete, may were parted out as individual revolvers. Many of the sets that were sold complete have been broken up over the years.

 

[vrichard]

I showed these before.
Dick

D 3
H 3
M3 J3

 

[bwade]

I believe Colt_saa is correct on what they are, I have looked at them now, they are 24-6s, 25-13s, and 29-10s. There is a blue and nickel for each model. The 36 is a 36-10. All guns have complete Serial Number boxes, with all factory stuff. I talked with seller and he had someone pull the guns as they were produced for Lew Horton. All guns do actually have the same numbers, but different letters.

I don't think I will have an opportunity like this again, so I have committed to the seller to buy them. The only problem I see with buying this set, other than having to come up with some serious $$$, is that it kinda makes me want to find more 0006s... I guess it is that collector bug thing!

 

[bwade]

I know you all like pictures!

Just got them, all numbers are 0006. The Registered Magnums all came with the Smith presentation boxes and the certificates. It was very difficult to keep the boxes and guns correct after the photos since the letter prefixes have to be read carefully. The top row are the 24s, then 25s, then 29s, and the last is the Ladysmith. I feel very lucky and Blessed to be able to acquire this set! The seller was a very nice guy and included a bill of sale with them, I guess the instant background folks had a double take on 11 serial numbers the same.

Sorry for the picture quality, my hat is off to the folks on the forum that take the professional looking pictures.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a fine addition

 

[snubbiefan]

I know this is a special situation where it was done on purpose, but it's not at all unusual to find guns bearing identical serial numbers. I ran the number on a Colt 38-Super and discovered some 10-15 guns bearing the same SN. Of course, the models were different and scattered across several years, but they all were identical. My LEO buddies tell me it's not that uncommon to find guns with the same serial number when they run one across the BATF stolen gun database. You have to know the make, model, caliber and SN to determine if you have a stolen gun in your hands.

Only mistake I ever made was selling a gun that had the last three numbers my zip-code as the last three digits in the SN.......666. Maybe that's why I sold it.