The owner of the gun store for whom I used to work explained to me that certain guns were grandfathered in if they were made before serial numbers were required. We had several entries in the "bound books" which listed make model and "no serial number" for older guns. I'm guessing this pistol was converted some time ago, but there's no way of telling. If Cap'n Monty is concerned about his pistol, he can always personally register it with the BATF as a Stoeger Luger with the serial number which is currently on the gun (or so I would think). As usual, what the law actually says doesn't really matter, the law is whatever the officer making the arrest happens to believe it to be at the time charges are brought. The gun may be seized or it may not, however coming forward and declaring a belief that the serial number may have been altered, with a statement that it was not done by or with the knowledge/consent of the current owner (id est cap'n monty) should pretty much clear any suspicions on BATF's part. They are, after all, human just like the rest of us, even if they have an often unpleasant job to do. However, it appears that the pistol was professionally done, and especially if the pistol was purchased from a licensed dealer with a form 4473, then the number is already on record (with the dealer), and it's not the Captains problem if it was altered somewhere in its rather long and convoluted history. Just my 2 cents, this is not given or meant to be taken as legal advice by anyone under any circumstances and may contain errors, etc. legal disclaimer et al... Tom.
