In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Hiding serial numbers in auction???

BuyMyJunkBuyMyJunk Member Posts: 32 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
Why do some people do that. It makes me think the gun might be hot. Serial number help me decide on a gun based on the history they reveal.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • oldgunmanoldgunman Member Posts: 1,779 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Many think it is a safety issue and I really don't think it matters much. I think you should at least say like (#4568xx) so if it is a firearm that the serial number matters then you've let the buyer know its era of make.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    Let's say that a man had a gun, but it was stolen from him. He didn't know the serial number, so it wasn't put on the police report, and the gun wasn't entered into NCIC. Then, one day he sees your internet auction with a picture of a gun just like his. He believes it is his, or maybe it is just close and he wants it. At any rate, it isn't his gun, but he record the serial number from the auction and calls his police to add it to the report and get the gun entered into NCIC. He just created a world of trouble for you.

    Let's say you have purchased some guns from a law enforcement agency. All of them were seized from criminals. Some of them may have been stolen from their rightful owners, but for one reason or another, probably for the lack of a known serial number, they were not returned to the owner, but put up for sale. In order to be eligible to buy one or more of these guns, you have to agree to not display the serial number in an advertisement for sale.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O.K. , seems like everybody may have a theory on this , well I do beleive that for most reasons , one should list the sn# (as stated) with at least the last few digits as X's ??? and as far as some-one 'putting it on a police report' after the fact ??? not likely and , lets say you buy a gun (and have proof of a "purchase" i.e. receipt) on Feb 15th , on Sept 10th decide to sell it on G.B. and some yo-yo tries the 'putting the sn# on a police report' , mosy likely will not work in my L.E. experiences , and you have proof of ownership prior to his ???? ...Anthow , stranger things have happened , and we , as "gun traders' really most of the time dont know the honest 'backgroung & history' of 99% of the stuff we deal with anyways??????
    So,,,, just do as you see fit as per the sn# issues........
    Thanks !!!
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Plain and simple - it's unfounded paranoia. If that theory was feasible, dealers would cover their serial numbers at gun shows. Somebody could copy down serial numbers from the guns on their tables and call the police a few days later saying their guns have been stolen.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • glabrayglabray Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll turn the question around and ask why is it important to you to know the exact serial number of somebody's personal property?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by glabray
    I'll turn the question around and ask why is it important to you to know the exact serial number of somebody's personal property?

    Although guns at auction may be "personal property", they are also for sale to the public. Since a buyer does not have the advantage of a "hands on" inspection, he has the right to as much information as possible. A Civil War, WWI, WWII, etc. firearm is worth more to a collector if it was made DURING the war rather than after and the serial number will determine that information. It may also allow further research to determine whether it was issiued to a particular unit. If it's a newly made firearm, the serial number isn't usually important (unless perhaps for a commemorative issue). However, when it comes to collectibles, the serial number will show if it's a qualified "antique" (pre-1899) or C&R (50 years old or more). Additionally, it will allow the potential buyer to determine if it is in its correct configuration or has replaced parts, wrong barrel length or style, sights, inspector cartouches, etc. For example, if I see a Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor offered as a "rare early model" but the serial number reveals it was made in 1886, I know it was replaced with a Model 1884 receiver, although it may have been done at the arsenal. Colts, Winchester and other high-end collectibles are commonly modified, faked, or incorrectly described and the serial number helps to narrow down how the firearm originally left the factory vs. how it is now.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BuyMyJunkBuyMyJunk Member Posts: 32 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
    Plain and simple - it's unfounded paranoia. If that theory was feasible, dealers would cover their serial numbers at gun shows. Somebody could copy down serial numbers from the guns on their tables and call the police a few days later saying their guns have been stolen.


    Thanks to all and thanks to Spider7115 for stating what I thought to be the obvious. I post my serial numbers and have never worried about it. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BuymyJunk,

    It is NOT unfounded paranoia. Yes, dealers at gun shows and even shops don't cover their serial numbers. But, don't think it hasn't been tried that someone will take a number and try to use it as described above. It's a safety measure. If you don't want to take it that's your business. I will.

    And as for not getting the whole scoop on a firearm from the serial number, you can e-mail the seller with questions. If he remains elusive about it then do you really want to buy from him? Most reputable sellers I've dealt with will not only answer questions but provide more pics if you need them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    I wish firearms serial numbers were more like automotive serial numbers (VIN). Then we wouldn't have to worry about X'ing out part of it. Joe

    EDIT:Herschel, I agree with you on serNo's. However, I have never had a serial number that I have posted on this forum altered in any way by a moderator, nor heard of anyone complaining of such alteration. Joe
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have asked on this forum for factual experiences where a problem was caused by posting the serial number. I don't recall every getting a response listing a real example. I consider it paranoia to conceal the serial number. I see not difference in posting the serial number than in having it in view on guns in shops or at gun shows. I collect and deal in 1922 series Springfield rifles. The serial number is very important in learning the history in some of some of these rifles. If I have a gun that at sometime in the past was stolen I would expect to return it to the lawful owner. Of course this topic in the past has brought up discussion as to who is the rightful owner. I post complete serial numbers and will continue to do so. I believe some moderators take it on themselves to replace digits in the sn with X's. On at least one internet site, a post will not be accepted with X's for part of the serial number.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.