Article on recovering manipulated serial numbers
 

This forensic study discusses techniques used to recover obliterated and manipulated serial numbers.

It discusses in detail the kinds of deformation to the metal grain structure that are caused by original marking techniques including die stamping.

Useful information, considering the number of fakes now showing up!

http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/13406.pdf

The study conclusion is specific to recovering stampings in Aluminum alloys, which doesn't help us much, but the initial discussion is useful.

Marc

That is a fascinating article indeed. I find it amazing that they can recover the destroyed original numbers. Thanks for sharing.