Strange Model 39

[kwill1911]

Yes, it is entirely possible to innocently buy a used gun with a bogus serial number. That's why the law includes the word "knowingly." However, if/when the buyer becomes aware that the serial number has been altered he has a legal requirement to turn the gun in.

 

[gmborkovic]

Sirs, My point is why subject yourself to a Federal inquiry? And expense.
How do you end up in court? Easy. You use the gun in a justified home
invasion and shots are fired. Cops take the gun. Or, on the way home
from the range, and you are T-boned at an intersection. You are in an ambulance and the cops inventory the car/truck? And your range bag.
By the way, if you get stopped and have a carry permit, it shows up on
the squad car screen. So buy the fuzzy gun cheap and enjoy. best

 

[Greyman50]

Holy Cow, Run, Run from that as fast as you can. A" reasonable man" could observe the milled " slot" where the serial number used to be. Bubba must have stamped the made up serial number, IMHO.
I remember many LEO friends issued M-39's back in 70's. My first impression( no pun intended) was it Could Be A Stolen LEO issue 39.

 

[Engine49guy]

Its not a "39" its a 39-2 from the early 1970's.
The original serial began with the letter "A" and was clearly milled off.

 

[Trooper224]

If someone unknowingly buys a stolen or altered firearm, the worse that will happen is they lose the gun. It's niether uncommon or a big deal. Regardless, the overall condition of that gun should be all the redflag a buyer needs.

 

[the big guy]

Did the OP say if it was alloy or steel? The frame that is.

 

[kwill1911]

Did the OP say if it was alloy or steel? The frame that is.

He did not but, given that it is a Model 39-2, it must be alloy.

 

[Mainsail]

Serial Number B01001

B for binary?

Binary code 01001 = 9

9mm?

 

[glenwolde]

Holy Cow, Run, Run from that as fast as you can. A" reasonable man" could observe the milled " slot" where the serial number used to be. Bubba must have stamped the made up serial number, IMHO.
I remember many LEO friends issued M-39's back in 70's. My first impression( no pun intended) was it Could Be A Stolen LEO issue 39.

"A reasonable man familiar with S&W Model 39's" would but your average Joe wouldn't know that slot wasn't factory.

 

[gmborkovic]

Why are we having this conversation?

 

[moosedog]

That serial number looks like one that was applied in a some what professional manner. My bet is that it was stolen and recovered with the serial number ground off, and then assigned a new serial number by BATF. I've dealt with several similar guns in my life. I'll bet it's in LEIN as such.

 

[JohnHL]

Why are we having this conversation?

Mike, as you have been one of the most vocal participants of the aforementioned conversation, perhaps you can enlighten us with the answer to your own question?

John

 

[ispcapt]

That serial number looks like one that was applied in a some what professional manner. My bet is that it was stolen and recovered with the serial number ground off, and then assigned a new serial number by BATF. I've dealt with several similar guns in my life. I'll bet it's in LEIN as such.

Nope. That was done by hand stamp. Who ever did it stamped each individual digit. The lettering isn't evenly spaced, the digits aren't 'level', they aren't the same depth, and some aren't straight. It doesn't match the restamp type that ATF uses.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello John, sure. I use to stand behind a gun counter of a store I owned.
A casual customer came in and said he had just bought a 1911 for parts.
He would bring it in. As he left , he said the Sn. was gone. Standing in front of the case was a plain clothes Capt. in the local police. What followed was swift. He was arrested and taken to jail. The final expense
for that $40 parts gun was probation, court costs and $5000 lawyer fee.
So, if it looks like a good deal, go for it and good luck. I dont care.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The key to the crime is "knowingly", not the FFL transfer, although that does minimize the impact on the new owner. I think the OP was good until this crew told him the facts as they see them. Now we're back to "knowingly", so proper investigation of the matter is required, obtaining a letter, or something.

 

[crstrode]

Suspecting and knowing are not the same.

 

[gmborkovic]

All great legal arguments. I hope they work for everyone and the lawyer fees are affordable.

 

[Heymatt]

Strip it down for parts and turn the frame in at the next gun buy back program.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Heymatt, great idea. Let us know how it works out.

 

[JohnHL]

Hello John, sure. I use to stand behind a gun counter of a store I owned.
A casual customer came in and said he had just bought a 1911 for parts.
He would bring it in. As he left , he said the Sn. was gone. Standing in front of the case was a plain clothes Capt. in the local police. What followed was swift. He was arrested and taken to jail. The final expense
for that $40 parts gun was probation, court costs and $5000 lawyer fee.
So, if it looks like a good deal, go for it and good luck. I dont care.

Thanks for the answer, Mike.

While we are all aware that anything can happen on any given day, having witnessed something like this "first-hand", I can appreciate why you might be a little "Strange Model 39" gun shy.

Again, thanks for the context.

John