WWII Colt Framed Scrubbed and Serial Restamped???

I've heard stories about 1911 frames being completely scrubbed and then the serial number restamped. The serial number is the only marking I see on this frame. Should I be suspicious???

Attachment 64145

That sure looks like a re-strike to me. Normally there's much more marked there than that.

This does not look like a BATF approved renumber to me . It looks more like the inside of a jail cell.
Others will be along that know more .
Chris

We haven't seen the entire pistol. The frame could be a 80% someone built with a GI slide/parts?? More detailed pics are in order here.

Just a quick oblique question......... What would happen if you found an old pistol with an obliterated number in, say an old house. Nothing sinister or criminal associated with it...., just the number scrubbed for some reason in the long distant past. Would the local cops or BATF have to allocate a new one or could you just opt to leave it as it is?

We have weapons here, especially old .22's that have never been numbered and I think that they're recorded by any other distinguishing mark

A scrubbed number gun is going to be seized. The old .22s are different.

Not legal to own if built after 1968 and the number or if it's an import the importers info has been scrubbed. Either is a no-no BUT one can build as many pistols or rifles out of 80% lowers/frames as his heart desires without numbers. Don't sell any though!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WarPig1976

Not legal to own if built after 1968

---

IIRC U.S. laws didn't require firearms to have serial numbers prior to 1968, but if it had one from the factory and was scrubbed it would be illegal to own regardless of when it was made. As Jim says it(and you possibly) would be seized if the right people get wind of it.

So there wouldn't be a chance of having the BATF allocate a number, much as we would in the Army with a weapon where the number is illegible for some reason or another? It's MGMans thread (3) that prompted me to ask. Thanks for the info anyway chaps

As I understand it , in the past the BATF would asign new numbers to guns that were scrubbed . Those had specific patterns to thier numbering and are legal . I don't think they do this anymore .
As was said above , guns before '68 did not HAVE to have serial numbers . If they did have them , however , they still need to have them . A gun without a number will be taken . Charges may be filed .
It is legal to build your own guns , and numbers and info are suggested but not required . You can only build them for your own use at the time you build them . You can sell them later if you need to . At that point , builder's name , address , and serial number needs to be added if not already done so to BATF published specs.
There may be steps one can do to correct the problems of defaced numbers , through wear , refinishing , or theft and recovery , but I'm not up on those .
Chris