YTBhand
Member
I was wondering why some posters obscure the serial number of their weapons within the post. This seems odd to me. Please fill me in. Thanks.
Last edited:
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Why obscure serial numbers?
- Thread starter YTBhand
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Bomberman
US Veteran
It's mainly to prevent someone else claiming your gun is one that was stolen from them. If they can produce a S/N and phoney bill of sale/receipt, then they can bring into question your rightful ownership. Better to leave off a few numbers of the S/N and avoid the possible hassle in the future. Just my 1/50th of a dollar.
kwill1911
SWCA Member
Bomberman,
I hope I don't offend you and you've given the "right" explanation but I think it is a silly internet myth. I've challenged people before to produce one example of such a thing happening and no one has ever offered even a rumor. Many dealers and all the big auction houses post thousands of guns with complete serial numbers. I've surveyed them and not one has ever had a problem. For someone to generate a phony bill of sale and claim ownership would also require a falsified police report and law enforcement takes a dim view of such shenanigans.
Posting full serial numbers of collectible guns leads to better answers and advances the knowledge base about when changes in features took place.
Regards,
Kevin Williams
I hope I don't offend you and you've given the "right" explanation but I think it is a silly internet myth. I've challenged people before to produce one example of such a thing happening and no one has ever offered even a rumor. Many dealers and all the big auction houses post thousands of guns with complete serial numbers. I've surveyed them and not one has ever had a problem. For someone to generate a phony bill of sale and claim ownership would also require a falsified police report and law enforcement takes a dim view of such shenanigans.
Posting full serial numbers of collectible guns leads to better answers and advances the knowledge base about when changes in features took place.
Regards,
Kevin Williams
Bomberman
US Veteran
kwill1911,
No offense taken...it's all good. Maybe it's being overly paranoid to think such things might happen but I'd rather err on the side of caution than having to prove ownership of a family heirloom.
BTW...what prompted you to survey many of the big auction houses about this topic. I go to auctions all the time and I've never even thought to ask about the listing of S/Ns. Just curious.
No offense taken...it's all good. Maybe it's being overly paranoid to think such things might happen but I'd rather err on the side of caution than having to prove ownership of a family heirloom.
BTW...what prompted you to survey many of the big auction houses about this topic. I go to auctions all the time and I've never even thought to ask about the listing of S/Ns. Just curious.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Paranoia. Nobody has ever tried it and the cops aren't that stupid to fall for such a ruse. Trying it would involve several felonies.
Colt Government Model 70G30498. I have been inviting people to call the police and claim it as their own for many years. So far no takers.
Colt Government Model 70G30498. I have been inviting people to call the police and claim it as their own for many years. So far no takers.
kwill1911
SWCA Member
I'm something of an amateur researcher/author/historian and maintain databases of guns that interest me--mainly U.S. military handguns. This data has helped tie down details, track fake or refinished guns and stay current on pricing. This topic comes up pretty regularly so at one of the big gun shows I just asked the principals from Rock Island, Little John's, Kull & Supica, et al. if they had ever had a problem. No one had.
Regards,
Kevin Williams
Chuck Jones
Member
Hey, just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean there's no one out to get me.
Besides I like being an inigma, at least online, don't you? ...or is SaxonPig your real name?/c (incognito)
I agree that it is a myth that a crook would try to claim ownership of a gun based upon a serial number obtained on the internet. Such people try to avoid the law rather than involve them in their dishonesty. Falsely claiming ownership of a gun would probably involve several layers of police agencies on the local and federal level.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
My real name is no secret.
Rugskipper
Member
I don't give out my serial numbers because I don't think it's anyone's dadgum business. I'm kinda funny that way. If I buy a set of grips or a magazine from someone, it goes to a PO box not my street address. No sense in willingly giving my name, address, and list of guns owned to someone I don't know. Such info would be like gold in some crackhead's hands. My goal is to be able to Google my name and not get any legitimate hits. I don't consider myself paranoid, just private. Have to go now and add another layer of tinfoil to my hat.....
larryofcc
SWCA Member
I have written several articles for a couple gun mags and have always posted full numbers. I have also been on so many forums I cannot count them all and I always, in addition to pics, post the complete serial numbers. I have never had a problem. I don't think the Gun Police sits on their duffs all day thinking of ways to get you from a full serial number. The minute I see an XX on a post, I stop reading it. It is just pure paranoia to think someone is out to get your number and claim you stole the gun. If you bought the gun on the up and up, it is probably registered to you and you have a bill of sale. I agree with the others, full numbers are great for research at times, and in a long stretch, the possibility of finding that rare consecutive gun like I did a few years back. A US M97 trenchgun the consecutive to the one in my collection. No XXX's for me thank you. Big Larry
bmcgilvray
SWCA Member
Why worry about either obscuring or not obscuring numbers? It shouldn't be a huge deal to other forum members either way. The knowledgeable member can deduce all he needs from the beginning set of numerals in a serial number. No use being affronted if the full number is obscured by two or three X's at the end. No use in being critical of the guy willing to share the complete number. Seeing the serial number, represented either partially or completely adds much to forum posts about specific models being discussed but there's no use dithering about what portion of the serial number a poster chooses to reveal.
It is a bit amusing, when reading in a forum or on an internet auction, to see the uninitiated obscure the beginning numerals rather than the ending numerals. Now that can leave the reader in the dark about origins of a gun.
It is a bit amusing, when reading in a forum or on an internet auction, to see the uninitiated obscure the beginning numerals rather than the ending numerals. Now that can leave the reader in the dark about origins of a gun.
Last edited:
Stophel
Member
I've always wondered just what anyone was supposed to be able to do with a gun serial number. X-ing out numbers never made sense to me.
Serial Numbers ?
I am happy, years ago when I asked this same question on a forum I got no responses.
I have sold many guns online on Gunbroker and have never obscured a serial number.
Yet so many do, at least now I understand why some do it.
I could never see what one could do with the number, I still don't really but at least I can now see what people are worrying about.
I am happy, years ago when I asked this same question on a forum I got no responses.
I have sold many guns online on Gunbroker and have never obscured a serial number.
Yet so many do, at least now I understand why some do it.
I could never see what one could do with the number, I still don't really but at least I can now see what people are worrying about.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I just as soon not publish the serial numbers of my guns into cyber space. Wikileakes, executive orders, hackers, all come to mind.
Good luck.
Charlie
Good luck.
Charlie
Chuck Jones
Member
There was a thread kinda like this a while back that started when someone asked the average number of guns owned by forum members, or some such.
I think all the replies went like: "alas, mine were all lost in a boating accident (earthquake, tsunami, etc.), but I have a few old photos that I still like to share"
It may well be paranoia, but I suspect at least a few of us live in jurisdictions where the word "gun" is enough to provoke a cavity search.
Hey, if 7 year olds get expelled for drawing a gun, it's not too far fetched.
/c (remaining incognito)
I think all the replies went like: "alas, mine were all lost in a boating accident (earthquake, tsunami, etc.), but I have a few old photos that I still like to share"
It may well be paranoia, but I suspect at least a few of us live in jurisdictions where the word "gun" is enough to provoke a cavity search.
Hey, if 7 year olds get expelled for drawing a gun, it's not too far fetched.
/c (remaining incognito)
Thanks for the replies from all. I thought perhaps that the forum moderators may have obscured the serial numbers. Silly me. I'm not paranoid, but I believe in giving as little ammo to my enemies as possible.
kwill1911, You've jogged my slow mind. Hypothetically, if the gun had been used in the commission of a crime and the police new about that serial #, they could subpoena information from the forum?
Rugskipper, I like your idea of no Google returns searching with your name. I thought I had a unique name but someone else has my name and the same middle name initial.
kwill1911, You've jogged my slow mind. Hypothetically, if the gun had been used in the commission of a crime and the police new about that serial #, they could subpoena information from the forum?
Rugskipper, I like your idea of no Google returns searching with your name. I thought I had a unique name but someone else has my name and the same middle name initial.
Because it no one's bussiness but mine what the S/N's of my guns are. It's a need to know situation and if someone legitimately needs to know they will get the info.
I only added x's to a serial number because as a newbie reading these posts I thought it was the proper procedure on the forum.
Steve
Steve
I don't do it for one simple reason. With our government becoming more and more corrupt and willing these days to do whatever they want, pass whatever laws they see fit to make their agenda easier, I can see no reason to give them a helping hand anywhere. Especially when it comes to checking on what I do or don't own.
Who knows how many new "gun forum czars" the annointed one has put into place to do nothing more than monitor forums and document what they see on them since taking office?
Maybe none, but if he has or ever does, I don't plan to make it any easier for them to do their jobs. If they have to go through the different states records divisions to get the same info, it will certainly cost a lot more and take a lot longer, and that's a good thing IMO.
I have never been worried about someone claiming I stole their gun. They would need to be able to prove it, and with so many states requiring registration of handguns by the current and legitimate owner in one form or another, it would be nothing more than a trip to jail for anyone claiming such nonsense.
Who knows how many new "gun forum czars" the annointed one has put into place to do nothing more than monitor forums and document what they see on them since taking office?
Maybe none, but if he has or ever does, I don't plan to make it any easier for them to do their jobs. If they have to go through the different states records divisions to get the same info, it will certainly cost a lot more and take a lot longer, and that's a good thing IMO.
I have never been worried about someone claiming I stole their gun. They would need to be able to prove it, and with so many states requiring registration of handguns by the current and legitimate owner in one form or another, it would be nothing more than a trip to jail for anyone claiming such nonsense.
Similar threads
