Would You Buy a Gun Just For An Interesting Serial Number?

[Chuck24]

First I'd have to like the gun, after that interesting serial # is a good a reason ( excuse, rationalization, karma ) as any.

 

[Muss Muggins]

What I think is a unique serial number may not be what others think is a unique serial number. I've seen several examples confirming this philosophy already posted in this thread . . .

 

[walkin jack]

I doubt I'd ever buy a gun for the serial number. For one thing my resources limit me to what I can buy and I'd rather concentrate on guns I like to shoot and/or for CCW. All of my guns, except for those of sentimental value have to work for a living. Meaning I shoot 'em all and don't have any so called safe queens. The pretty ones get their turn on the firing line. Takes more than a "pretty face" to get into my collection.

 

[Aticus]

That Kimber serial number would be nice to have but $35,000 worth? I mean face it for a 1911 style in 45 ACP that's a cool number but $35,000 worth? Not in my place!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Oh come on ...... is there anyone here that wouldn't buy a PPK with a "007" in the serial #!!!!!!


If you say ..Yes.... I'm callin BS!!!!

 

[GB]

Yes. and have. I have an M1 Garand with a unique serial #. I mentioned it on a rifle forum. About once a year I get an e-mail from a gentleman that wants to buy that rifle. I have a friend that will not buy a gun with a number that ends in 3/7/9 unless it is something he can turn really fast or is so cheap he can't say no. He will pay a premium for a gun he wants if it ends in 0 or 5. And last but not least, who of us would not choose a N frame Smith with number that started with S, if we had a choice between one that started with S or a similar one that started with N?

 

[Papa32129]

I own a SD9 with the prefix HER0.
I think the fourth digit is a number instead of a letter.

 

[Papa32129]

I own a SD9 with the prefix HER0. <br />
I think the fourth digit is a number instead of a letter.

Btw , I didn't buy it for the serial number.

 

[Big Cholla]

Several years ago, I was asked to evaluate a collection for a local gentleman who was up in years and was anticipating moving to Assisted Living. I worked a couple of days on the project and gave him a written report. I presented the report and he wrote out a check for agreed amount. He then pulled out a S&W pre M 36 and said, "I forgot this one and you didn't get to evaluate it, so I want you to have it." I looked it over and thanked him and put it in my pocket. When I got home I went to my workbench to do a proper Armorer's check on it. To my surprise the actual serial number on frame, cylinder and grips was "12345". I kept that handgun for years and carried it and shot it a lot. Then a good friend offered me far more than what I thought it was worth even with the unusual serial number. ...............

 

[chief38]

Not unless I wanted the gun in the first place.

 

[sheepdawg]

I'd buy the one in the middle for it's serial number. Doubt I could afford it though.

 

[handejector]

I bought these 4 S&W because all four had a single prefix letter and a
single number 3.
Dick

I was wondering the other day where those guns were.

 

[ModernRifle]

It would be a pretty wild day for me to buy a gun based on the serial number. Never have, probably should have, but it has been only later that I care about the serial number.
I have had a few that stick in my head, tho

 

[Tom K]

Yes. and have. I have an M1 Garand with a unique serial #. I mentioned it on a rifle forum. ....

Every Garand has a unique serial number (for a Garand). That is the primary characteristic of a serial number.

 

[model70hunter]

Never have. Had a gun friend years ago that went banana's over poker hand SN's.

I swear from across the room all the guns looked the same.

 

[50 target]

I have bought a few. First one was a no finish pre model 15 in a gun store. It had a shadow serial number and thought it cool but didn't want a no finish shooter. It sat and sat at the pawn shop. Well it did have a nice set of football diamond targets, so I took a pair of regular magnas in and they traded with me even up. I've bought lots of stuff from them. Well the gun disappeared and I was glad cause that SN got to buggin me. Well several weeks later it reappeared and it was wearing a set of S&W finger groove combat grips. Well I had to buy it then, for $115.00 out the door. Took it home, put the diamond targets back lon it and sold the S&W finger groove combats at a gun show for $130.00. SN is K117117.
Second one was because it is unusual in that II have a 44 Target Transitional, ser. # S 71xx3 and one day while cruising the Gunbroker I see a Transitional Outdoorsman and yeah, the ser. # was S71xx4 sequential to my 44, so I bought it. It is a shooter but hey, how many folks have sequential Transitional models and one is a 44 ? By the way, I located S71xx2 and could have bought it on AuctionArms but reality got the best of me and I didn't really need another Transitional Outdoorsman. My only examples but both were good.

 

[GB]

Tom, You are correct. I should have said that the Garand (A HRA) has an unusual #. It ends with 0000 and is near the end of H&R's last regular contract run. Sorry for the confusion. GB

 

[MaricopaKid]

I would not buy a gun because of a particular S/N. However, years ago I got the bug (!?) for a Seecamp. Being able to compose a custom S/N was just an added bonus.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I admit I bought a gun just for the serial number. I then even speced out a gun with a specific serial number.

I have them both and enjoy shooting them.

 

[M E Morrison]

A few years back I bought a SKS just because the SN was 666! This one was well used, but I turned down the "like new" models, much to the clerks surprise!