Unusual serial number

[marty7]

Why does an old Colt .32 cal semi-auto pistol have a serial number starting with the letters ATF ? The patent dates are 1897-1903. I'd appreciate any info you can offer.

[GRIZ]

Prior to the formation of ATF as an agency they were just a random selection of letters with no meaning. I'm sure you can find guns somewhere that have FBI, IRS, CIA, etc in there serial numbers that are totally coincidental.

[Dave_n]

Another strong possibility is that either the original serial number was erased, or the pistol did not have one. Under those conditions, if sold through an FFL after 1968, it needed a serial number and the ATF will issue them. Dave_n

[brian]

i would bet the original number was removed or otherwise unreadable...depending what your idea of old is...10, 20, 40, 80 years old?
most makers didn't start serial numbers with letters till the 70s or 80's.
a refinish with excessive buffing and polishing could easily and without intention remove a serial number quickly.

[GRIZ]

Everything posted so far is plausible.

I didn't think of an ATF issued number but I do tend to agree with that.

[WVneighbor]

It is most likely an ATF assigned serial number. The "ATF" should be followed by 6 digits which will indicate the office that assigned the serial number.

If it does have the 6 digits I can get you which office assigned the serial number. I'm not sure if you are interested in the history of the firearm, or just thought "ATF" on a gun was neat.

[EZ1]

I do not believe that the ATF issues serial numbers for fireamrs made without them. I have purchased two such guns without serial numbers within the past 25 years which have been transferred thru FFLs, in the space for the serial number they merely wrote none.