old 22 revolver with no serial number?

[Takem]

My Friend has a 22 cal revolver made in 1901 he got from his grandfather. It has no serial number. Wasn't altered, just doesn't have any. Is there anything he has to do?. He wants to use it for dog training, shooting blanks. Didn't know what to tell him.

[pennlineman]

Guns were not required to have serial numbers until the gun control act of 1968. Prior to that some brands of guns had them, some did not.

[39flathead]

What Pennline said, plenty of guns, especially .22's never had serials until 1968.

There is nothing illegal about it, however, depending on what part of the state you are in, some PD's are a bit of idiots when it comes to guns.
He needs to educate himself on the GCA of 1968 just in case he would ever need to attempt to explain why it has no serial to an uneducated copper.

If he really wanted, he could put his own "serial" number on it, I'd suggest the last 4 of his SS number under the grips. This would help to possibly recover it were it ever stolen or lost.

[eyecanshoot]

My mom gave me an old revolver once with no visible serial #. I removed the grips and the serial # was hidden underneath. It might be there if you want to take a look but like the others said it shouldn't matter.

[Delkal]

Not 100% sure but I thought handguns always had a serial number unless it was made pre 1898. I don't remember ever seeing a handgun without a serial number. Does someone know for sure?

Yes, pre-68 .22 rifles and shotguns did not need it and I have one or two.

[Takem]

Most H&R revolvers pre ww2 have no serial numbers. Did some research.

[Delkal]

Thanks, just wasn't sure......

[Breadman03]

If it was my gun and I was planning on working the gun, I would get some sort of documentation on it just so that if I ever ran into issues, I could act quickly rather than have to react.

[RebelRaider5]

Most H&R revolvers pre ww2 have no serial numbers. Did some research.

I have an H&R Premier made in the 1910s and it has a serial number. It was mostly the cheaper manufactures or guns made for second hand sellers [Montgomery Ward/Sears] that didn't have serial numbers.

[eyecanshoot]

My H&R Young America is pre 1898 .32 black powder and the serial is under the grips. Just saying.