i got a 357 magnum from my late stepdad, but there is NO serial number. would i get in trouble for having it with no serial number?

Question

my late stepdad was a HUGE gun collector and after he passed i kept a 357 magnum. my mom, my wife and myself searched every inch of the gun and there is no serial number or anywhere it looks like it was scratched off. do all guns have serial numbers or is this normal.

and do i have to register it or can i just have it. thank you

Answer 1

Prior to the 1968 Gun Control Act - firearms were not required to have serial numbers. I have the Mossberg 22 target rifle my dad bought me in 1966 when I was 11 years old - no serial number. However, being legal - does not mean it will prevent you from having issues. I carried that rifle with me during my 26 year military career and the fact it had no serial number when I would check it into an armory caused me no shortage of grief all those years.



The bad news - prior to 1968 - all the really great guns did have serial numbers. Especially the collectable guns made by the big companies. My Mossberg - is not collectable - great target gun, I am still using it in the Senior Olympics and my oldest son will enjoy when I pass away....... but it's not worth much.



What you should have done is take a dozen or so in focus, properly lighted, correctly taken pictures and posted them on a free photo share site like www.photobucket.com and then added a link to the photos with your question. Some of the people here are really sharp when it comes to older guns and they can tell from the photos the make and model - and most important - if it was made after 1968. If it is pre-1968 and made with no numbers you are fine. If it was post '68 and someone took them off and did a really great job of it..... you have troubles.



But not all is lost. When I had a gun hard chromed back in the late 70's it filled in the serial numbers. I restamped the numbers on the thing. This is something you could do also........ however....... keep in mind pistol rules, laws, regulations - they are a right left to the states. 50 states - 50 different rules, regulations and laws. So, if you come back here to ask your question again and post photos - be sure to include your state.

Answer 2

Colt, Smith and Wesson and Ruger have been numbering handguns since way before it was required in the GCA of 1968. Since you don't know what brand it is... I can only assume it's some kind of early saturday night special import of some kind.



If it was ground off it's a violation of the act. On a SW the SN is below the forcing cone inside the frame and again on the lower strap of the grip frame --- that one may be covered by the grips on some pistols



Registration? Depends- not many states actually "register" handguns.

Answer 3

If it was scratched off, then by Federal Law, you are currently in violation. If there WAS no serial number, then it's a bit more hazy. Handguns have had to have serial numbers since 1968. The Gun Control Act of 1968 mandates this. It is also what makes it a felony to be in possession of a fiream whose serial number has been obscured or removed.



Registration is a matter of where you live. But if the firearm ever comes into contact with law enforcement and it is determined to have had its serial number removed, you could be liable for the federal felony that goes with it.



Gunsmiths have a procedure for re-stamping a serial number if they can lawfully determine that number, which is legal for them to do.

Answer 4

Firearms were not required to have a serial number until 1968. It is a federal felony to deface the serial number on a gun. It would help to know the brand and model of the firearm. If we did, someone here could tell you if it had a serial number, and if so, where it is located. If it did have a serial number, I would destroy the gun if it was me.

Answer 5

Guns aren't generally registered, you will need to consult your state's laws.



Guns were not required to have a serial number until 1968. If your firearm was manufactured before AND did not come with a serial number, then there is no problem unless your state requires it. If the serial number was removed, then you need to turn it in to the cops for destruction because it is illegal, no two ways about it.

Answer 6

Second part of your question is depends on the state you are living in. If there is no serial number it may of been a test model not intended for public sale, they do show up from time to time. It also could be one that was built up from parts and again have no serial number on it. But all guns factory made for public sale do come with serial numbers, as do military weapons so it sounds very odd that there is no trace of an ID Number on the gun. But again your step father mite of gotten an early test model. If the company that made the guns name is on it contact them and fine out what is up!

Answer 7

Scratched off sounds sketchy. If you're sure that's where a serial number WAS, you had better check with your local police department and see if you have a stolen firearm. And if not, they can perhaps instruct you on how to register it properly with a new serial number.



However, that may also result in not getting it back. So you might just not want to say anything if you're pretty attached to it...

Answer 8

Remove the grips, there is probably a serial number under them. For example, large rubber grips go under the base of Ruger revolvers. The serial number is on the base so the grips cover it up.

Answer 9

Not all guns have a serial number. Knowing where you lived would help us to know if you have to register the pistol or not. Roughly 97% of the USA is registration free, the other 3% is where you must register. Maybe you could look up your own gun laws and find out for yourself. Also, you might take the gun to a professional gunsmith and have him give it the once over twice and find out 100% what gun you have, it's age, is it safe to shoot and is it altered. He will also know your local gun laws.

Answer 10

Take the grips off. Find Serial Number. Quietly let this question fade away.

Answer 11

It's against a federal law to alter the serial number, but you didn't do that. So I guess there is no problem with the gun.

Answer 12

Just go to a gunsmith. He's best set up to stamp the numbers in after contacting the ATF. Personally though I have three rifles, one shotgun and a handgun without numbers. Early guns and I have no problem leaving them that way. It's your choice, but law says they need a number. Just don't sell it.

Answer 13

No. Firearms maybe before 1964 do not require a serial number. so what you are seeing isn't all that uncommon. You can find no evidence of a defaced serial number.

Answer 14

Did you take off the grips and see if it's on the frame ?...or open the cylinder and look around there ? Also, google the Maker and see what they say....and download a free manual while you're at it.

Answer 15

If you said what bran there might be someone that can tell you where to look. If not visable check under the grips

Answer 16

It would make it a lot easier to give a suggestion as to where the SN might be if you had bothered to include the make and model of the revolver . . . .

Answer 17

firstly..., don't worry about it..., secondly, have you tried removing the grips & looking on the frame , or checking the cylinder...,

Answer 18

Not much of a problem when the Govt comes and takes every legal citizens guns. Keep voting liberal.