Filed off serial numbers on a 1911

[A. F Medic]

I am been made aware of a man who has a 1911 that has the serial numbers filed off by the original owner. He was afraid that Uncle Sam would not like him taking a pistol and of course he doesn't.

My question is, "What is the process one uses to restore the impressions?" I understand it is acid. Not my intent to touch the weapon and the present owner is a complete a$$. So I have NO motivation to help him!

Information

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[jonnyc]

I would leave it right there.

[browningautorifle]

I'm kinda with Johnny here, If you aren't motivated to help and he's a dork then leave it. At best you get implicated.

[jmoore]

Definitely verbotten!

[Peter Laidler]

A forensic chap told me that if the original number had been pressed or rolled in place and then it's been filed/ground off, the original number can usually be identified by the impressed striations left behind when subject to forensic testing (don't ask me how............)

However, if the number has been CUT - as in engraved, then it is usually lost for ever by filing/grinding.

We have an ex IRA Thompson gun No 480 that has had the number ground out. Forensically it was raised to read 482........ the remaining striations of the 0 being misread for a 2. But not bad!

[fjruple]

A forensic chap told me that if the original number had been pressed or rolled in place and then it's been filed/ground off, the original number can usually be identified by the impressed striations left behind when subject to forensic testing (don't ask me how............)

However, if the number has been CUT - as in engraved, then it is usually lost for ever by filing/grinding.

We have an ex IRA Thompson gun No 480 that has had the number ground out. Forensically it was raised to read 482........ the remaining striations of the 0 being misread for a 2. But not bad!

Peter--

A little unknown secret about the Colt manufactured Thompsons is there is a secret serial number under the foregrip mount on the frame. Many of the early Colt Thompsons that were used from American "busniessmen" during prohibition were traced this way.

--fjruple

[jmoore]

The drama here is that the mere act of attempting to destroy the number is a federal offense. Probably local laws against it too. So even if the number is recovered, things could get messy if the authorities decide they've nothing else to do that day...

[Johnny Peppers]

The numbers were originally pressed into the receiver with a die, so they would possibly be recoverable, but I have a feeling the cost of having it done would exceed the value of the altered pistol. As jmoore noted, it is federal law that addresses altered or defaced serial numbers, and the person in possession of the weapon is assumed to be the one that altered it. In cases where pistols have been stolen and recovered with the serial number obliterated, the rightful owner has been allowed to have a new serial number applied to the pistol, but normally this does not cover a pistol which has just had it's serial number removed.

It always amazed me how the problem of disguising a stolen military pistol was addressed. On some the UNITED STATES PROPERTY was removed, but the serial number left intact. Others had the serial number removed, but the USP was left intact. On some both the serial number and USP have been removed, but MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY was left intact. Then there are the acceptance marks applied by government inspectors.

[jrhead75]

All of the legal issues notwithstanding...As I understand it, acid works on stamped numbers due to the fact that the metal under the stamp has been compressed, and is thus denser than the surrounding metal and dissolves at a slower rate when exposed to the acid. Probably not the best technique if one wants to restore a piece though, as it's not exactly a non-destructive procedure .

[Johnny Peppers]

All the steel over where the serial number was must be dressed down to where it is perfectly flat and smooth as the acid must work uniformly. Considering the location of the serial number on the Model 1911, considerable alteration of the receiver would have to be done to prepare the receiver for the acid treatment.