US Prop. Marked S&W 1917 ?’s

[TIMETRIPPER]

Reading through all this brings a question to mind.
Let's say that particular gun had it's serial number re stamped somewhere else on the frame, for whatever reason. And it was done legitimately per BATF guidelines and on their OK.
My question is... is there a form that must be filled out and approved before a serial number is re stamped/relocated, and is a record of such work kept on file by the BATF?

John

 

[Bosswife]

have a colt 1917 refinished--defarbed--new sn.--atf====on the butt--for what is worth--jim

 

[Skeetr57]

The Colt 1917 Army is another case entirely. On a Colt 1917 the factory SN is found on the frame in the crane recess. The number on the butt is an Army number.

 

[steelslaver]

My question on a restamped number is this. Before the GCA it was acceptable to remove numbers and from my reading for some time after it was acceptable for gunsmiths to remove them for alternations and restamp the number, then at some point the BATF stopped allowing this. If one had a gun with a number stamped on another location of the grip frame how would it be possible to establish when the second stamp was applied? Just curious.

I once came across a K32 fixed sight gun in a pawn shop. The serial numbers had been over stamped with xxxx. and another number stamped. I questioned the pawn shop about this and they claimed the serial number alteration had been done by the Sheriff's dept. I also know that the pawnshops there are regularly checked by said sheriff's dept? I also know some times the law in Montana is viewed through the sheriff's eyes and everyone else can pound sand as far as they care. Thought it was weird. Why would they do this?

I walked away, because first I even though I like 32s, I could see no value in one with a deface serial number even if legal.

 

[Hondo44]

My question on a restamped number is this. Before the GCA it was acceptable to remove numbers and from my reading for some time after it was acceptable for gunsmiths to remove them for alternations and restamp the number, then at some point the BATF stopped allowing this. If one had a gun with a number stamped on another location of the grip frame how would it be possible to establish when the second stamp was applied? Just curious.

No way to tell. On such an old gun I don't think it would be questioned, if it has a # on the frame, especially if it matches the # on other parts, it's currently legal. GCA '68 wasn't retroactive fortunately.