No serial# on gun - The Firearms Forum

ramblinrose56 · 08-26-2007, 08:53 PM

Hello,
My husband, who cant type worth a darn, asked me to pose a question on this forum about a gun he recently inherited. It is a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver that came from his uncle who passed not long ago. All other markings, including the serial number, have been ground off of the gun somehow, and he would like to knw what we should do with it. We have plenty of guns already and I think we should take it to the police to have it destroyed. His uncle was not a criminally-minded man, and we dont know why he had this gun, but something just doesn't seem right here.

We have been reading your website for some time now and enjoy it a lot. We both love to shoot and we are looking forward to your replies. Thank you.

Bill DeShivs · 08-27-2007, 12:14 AM

That would be the proper, legal thing to do.
Bill

berto64 · 08-27-2007, 12:33 AM

The smart thing, too.

Xracer · 08-27-2007, 07:22 AM

Hi ramblinrose56......welcome to TFF.

Prior to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, guns were not required to have serial numbers.....and many inexpensive guns were manufactured without serial numbers. Most manufacturers did assign serial numbers to their more expensive firearms, and if a gun did have a serial number, it was illegal to remove it.

Sooooo.....even if your revolver was made before 1968, the removal of the serial number makes it illegal to own.

What I would do is to call the BATF&E (Bureau of Alcohol Tax, Firearms, & Explosives.....look in the Government pages of your phone book), explain the situation, and ask their advice.

BTW.....I'd suggest that you make the call.....they don't expect women to know much about guns, so they'll probably very patient in explaining what you should do.

Contrary to much popular opinion, any time I've had contact with BATF&E, they've been very helpful.

ramblinrose56 · 08-27-2007, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I will try the local police/sheriff first before calling the BATF. They do not have a very good reputation down here in TX.

ramblinrose56 · 08-29-2007, 08:24 PM

Well, I called our local sheriff's office and explained the situation, nad they told me they would be happy to dispose of the gun for us. I made sure to take a copy of the will to show it was an inheritance, and no further questions were asked. Thanks again for the advice.

08-26-2007, 08:53 PM	#1
ramblinrose56 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: TX Posts: 22	No serial# on gun Hello, My husband, who cant type worth a darn, asked me to pose a question on this forum about a gun he recently inherited. It is a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver that came from his uncle who passed not long ago. All other markings, including the serial number, have been ground off of the gun somehow, and he would like to knw what we should do with it. We have plenty of guns already and I think we should take it to the police to have it destroyed. His uncle was not a criminally-minded man, and we dont know why he had this gun, but something just doesn't seem right here. We have been reading your website for some time now and enjoy it a lot. We both love to shoot and we are looking forward to your replies. Thank you. -->

08-27-2007, 12:14 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,467	Re: No serial# on gun That would be the proper, legal thing to do. Bill __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

08-27-2007, 12:33 AM	#3
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,385	Re: No serial# on gun The smart thing, too. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

08-27-2007, 07:22 AM	#4
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: No serial# on gun Hi ramblinrose56......welcome to TFF. Prior to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, guns were not required to have serial numbers.....and many inexpensive guns were manufactured without serial numbers. Most manufacturers did assign serial numbers to their more expensive firearms, and if a gun did have a serial number, it was illegal to remove it. Sooooo.....even if your revolver was made before 1968, the removal of the serial number makes it illegal to own. What I would do is to call the BATF&E (Bureau of Alcohol Tax, Firearms, & Explosives.....look in the Government pages of your phone book), explain the situation, and ask their advice. BTW.....I'd suggest that you make the call.....they don't expect women to know much about guns, so they'll probably very patient in explaining what you should do. Contrary to much popular opinion, any time I've had contact with BATF&E, they've been very helpful.

08-27-2007, 04:40 PM	#5
ramblinrose56 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: TX Posts: 22	Re: No serial# on gun Thanks for the help everyone. I think I will try the local police/sheriff first before calling the BATF. They do not have a very good reputation down here in TX.

08-29-2007, 08:24 PM	#6
ramblinrose56 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: TX Posts: 22	Re: No serial# on gun Well, I called our local sheriff's office and explained the situation, nad they told me they would be happy to dispose of the gun for us. I made sure to take a copy of the will to show it was an inheritance, and no further questions were asked. Thanks again for the advice.