serial number issues??
 

hello to all, I was just reading a post on the P.38 / PPK forum about a restamped and possibly repositioned serial number... How do the gunsmiths who make reproduction Luger carbines handle that issue when they weld or solder on the front extension?? To the best of my knowledge, that would be smack dab on top of the frame serial number? Anybody been down this road?, ..Best to all, til....lat'r...GT

G.T.,

The only truly legal method is by aquiring permission from the BATF to remove a serial number and then replace it. They have a form that is filed with them for this purpose.

Ron

Hi Rick,

I don't think this "window" method would work for Luger carbines... the contact area for the forestock extension needs to adhere to the surface where the serial number is placed... Ron Smith is correct in that documented permission from the ATF is required for altering the positon of a serial number.

I have a Colt Combat Commander that I bought new in 1975. I had it converted to the Seecamp double action system by Lewis W. Seecamp himself. His double action modification of the frame required that the drawbar used for double action cocking (a la P.38) slide in a cutout that effectively eliminated the factory serial number... so he moved it to the underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard. This was standard practice for this conversion. I remember reading somewhere that he had to get ATF approval for this conversion... probably one of the articles that was done on him by the gun magazines of the time.

Thoughts on the issue!
 

Thanks Ron, Rick, and John... I have pondered this myself over the last couple of days and I must say, that, I think just like Rick in leaving a window or relief of sorts to reveal the number.. but, it would be a bit more practical to relocate the number... probably the BATF way, is the way to go... :) Rick, we are birds of a feather! ;) Best to all, til....lat'r....GT