[Ron Smith]

Ed,
Trigger is right on the mark. Cameras tend to make the "warts" stand out. I too would bet that this is a very nice example, when you get it in your hands.
Serial number blocking is kind of an enigma. I gather that they don't want some sleeze using the serial number to report the gun stolen. And trying to get possession of it through doing so.
Or to prevent it from being confiscated if it was stolen and resold at some point in it's history.
I once bought an old Colt revolver from a well known dealer. It had been through several owners and his background check on it at the time of purchase came back clean.
I kept it for about 6 years before trading it to another dealer. When he resold it to a customer and was phoning in the sale info to the State police( a requirement in my state). It came up as being reported stolen 35 years previously. And since on-line sales can be viewed worldwide. They don't want to take the chance. I'm am by no means inferring that it is stolen. Just my take on it.

Ron