Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Florence, Oregon
    Posts
    2
    Rep Power
    0

    Question Unusual serial number

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Bayville, New Jersey
    Posts
    536
    Rep Power
    118

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    1,060
    Rep Power
    4672406

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    lebanon, Pennsylvania
    (Lebanon County)
    Age
    49
    Posts
    3,960
    Rep Power
    21474857

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    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.
    it's only metal, we can out think it....

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Bayville, New Jersey
    Posts
    536
    Rep Power
    118

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    Everything posted so far is plausible.

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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Martinsburg, West Virginia
    Posts
    642
    Rep Power
    1531480

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    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.
    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Central Ma, Massachusetts
    Posts
    50
    Rep Power
    1613

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    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.
    NRA Endownment & NRA Pistol Instructor

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Martinsburg, West Virginia
    Posts
    642
    Rep Power
    1531480

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    Quote Originally Posted by EZ1 View Post
    I do not believe that the ATF issues serial numbers for fireamrs made without them.
    They do. It doesn't have to be a firearm made without a serial number, it is also for serial numbers that have been obliterated whether through time, wear, etc.

    Colt, for example, have always serilized their guns. In the time period of the OP's gun (turn of the century) Colts serial numbers were numeric, (123456) not alpha-numeric (ABC123).

    So the fact it is a Colt made around the turn of the century with an alpha numeric serial number means the serial number is not original to the firearm.
    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Central Ma, Massachusetts
    Posts
    50
    Rep Power
    1613

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    Quote Originally Posted by WVneighbor View Post
    They do. It doesn't have to be a firearm made without a serial number, it is also for serial numbers that have been obliterated whether through time, wear, etc.

    Colt, for example, have always serilized their guns. In the time period of the OP's gun (turn of the century) Colts serial numbers were numeric, (123456) not alpha-numeric (ABC123).

    So the fact it is a Colt made around the turn of the century with an alpha numeric serial number means the serial number is not original to the firearm.
    Good to know. Still, I own at least 4 firearms without serial numbers, all of which I believe were produced without them, though at least two of the manufacturers have been out of business since before WWII. The newest dates to the late 1940's (Sears).
    NRA Endownment & NRA Pistol Instructor

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Martinsburg, West Virginia
    Posts
    642
    Rep Power
    1531480

    Default Re: Unusual serial number

    Serial numbers were not required until the GCA of 1968. Most larger manufacturers (S&W, Colt, etc) were already serializing their firearms before 1968, but there were no federal regulations requiring them to do so.

    Another neat fact is there are duplicate serial numbers out there. What would be neat as hell, to me at least, would be to get a pair of S&W revolvers with the same serial numbers.
    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. S&W 686 Serial Number
    By SSgtLP in forum General
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: April 5th, 2011, 09:33 PM
  2. Pistol with no serial number
    By phillyd2 in forum General
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: December 14th, 2010, 04:10 AM
  3. serial number ?
    By nailer in forum General
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: July 27th, 2009, 05:45 PM
  4. Rifle with no serial number
    By Iron Sights in forum General
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: March 26th, 2009, 06:48 PM
  5. Serial Number issue?
    By Mity2 in forum General
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: February 12th, 2008, 10:57 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •