colt, mod. 1911

[bbrown]

where can I find info on colts with no ser.# ?

[Duane Hansen]

The best place to find out information on a Colt with NO serial number would be from the ATF.....But don't be surprised if they confiscate it and possibly want to fine you or maybe even take you to prison. Seriously though, It is a criminal offense to own a firearm with a removed or defaced serial number.

[Duane Hansen]

Maybe I am misunderstanding you. Do you just want information on some Colt pistol that you don't happen to know what the serial number is at this time? If this is the case, Just ask your questions and if you are talking about 1911 or 1911A1 pistols, you have come to the right place.

[wjkuleck]

But, if the firearm never had a serial number...

Serial numbers weren't required before 1968; after GCA '68, serial numbers were not only required, they were required to be absolutely unique. Colt, for example, could no longer number Super 38s without regard as to how Government Models were numbered.

So, if a pistol never had a serial number, the number could not have been removed or replaced. The problem would be proving that the pistol never had a number, since all Colts were supposed to have been numbered!

Also, it occurs to me that if you build a firearm from scratch, including making the receiver, as a private individual you need not serialize it (though it would be wise to do so); you can't sell it, either. But, that's a whole 'nuther subject.

As for "information on Colts without serial numbers," there are pistol frames supposed to have been spirited out of manufactorys prior to serialization. There are those who argue this was not possible. I am an agnostic on the subject. However, if these apocryphal pistols really do exist, since the frames were stolen, there will be no "information," even though the statute of limitations has likely run ;) .

Regards,

Walt

[Scott Gahimer]

Most pistols with no serial numbers turn out to be pistols with scrubbed markings to conceal a theft.

The removal, altering or obliteration of any serial number has been strictly illegal for about 70 years. It is illegal to even possess a pistol with a number removed or altered in any way.

If you have one, feel free to post photos of it for confirmation. If you are looking at one to puchase, save yourself the time, trouble and money. Run the other way.

[Hawkmoon]

Allow me to expand on what Walt and Scott wrote. The way the Federal law is written ... and many states echo it more or less verbatim ... not only is it illegal to remove, alter or deface the serial number --if you are found in possession of such a firearm, the law presumes that you did it. That's serious stuff, because it means the police or the BATFE don't have to listen to your story of how, when and where you got the gun and that it was that way when you broght it home. The law TELLS them that YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO REMOVED THE SERIAL NUMBER.

It's all downhill from there ...

[rekladan]

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

[bgiven]

.... of course it could be one of those rare birds that never had a serial number. We hardly ever see, or hear about one of those ;) .


Welcome to the Fourm.