Serial number posting security concerns?

siegersallee · 07-03-2012, 12:59 PM

I was recently told that some people do not post their luger serial numbers owing to security concerns.

Would someone please explain what exactly the concern is?

Richard

Terry Tiell · 07-03-2012, 01:04 PM

I had no issue's posting mine up so ya got me.

ithacaartist · 07-03-2012, 01:57 PM

There is no reason I can think of except that something about the pistol or its history may be suspect. It's like hiding your license plate number when you drive your car. Why would anyone do it? The obvious reason is that the license plate is stolen, or had been used in a crime. What leverage/power could be held over someone who revealed the serial number of his legitimately owned gun, by whom, and for what purpose? None that I could think of...with this possible exception:

The only remote possibility I've ever heard of is that, because a Luger's serial number is not necessarily one-of-a-kind, someone's pistol may become controversial because its serial number matches that of another Luger that is on record as contraband in some way. Legitimate pistols usually have paperwork of some sort--bill of sale, transfer record, registration, etc. which, when produced, may help deal with this potential situation, which is extremely rare to begin with. It would be like finding a matching number original part; doing so, though very, very infrequent, would still be possible.

The risk of something happening like this is so small that I'd personally never worry about it. Though it's probably a big hassle if it occurs, one's chances of its happening to them are insignificant; I would NEVER lose a moments sleep worrying about it.

There are those, however, who worry about everything, regardless of real probability. I'm sure you know some of them. This is unreasonable. Focusing concern on only the possibility, to the exclusion of rationally considering the probability, is something some people just do. This attitude is impervious to factual information and logic. As in the Monty Python routine "Flying Sheep", "Sheep are very dim: once they get an idear into their 'eads, there's no shiftin' it." Regardless of a notion's accuracy, we tend to hold on to the ones we already have, defending them to the death whether they are "real", or make any sense at all.

This is MHO, of course; I'm open to the possibility of being incorrect or misinformed, and await different/better info. In the case another well-reasoned answer or credible information arrives some day, all I need to do is change my mind.

David Parker

lew1 · 07-03-2012, 02:26 PM

I agree with you.

Norme · 07-03-2012, 02:33 PM

The reason for not posting the last two digits of the serial number, given by many dealers, is that they fear someone will buy a gun, switch a numbered part for one they need, then return the gun for credit. I think it more likely, though, that they don't want the party they purchased a gun from to know how much they are actually getting for it. Regards, Norm

siegersallee · 07-03-2012, 03:04 PM

When I posted pictures of my 1913 Erfurt I boastfully took clear pictures of the serial number.

I just don't understand why a person would post pics of their luger on this board and cover up the serial number claiming it is for security reasons.

It strikes me very negatively; I can't help but be suspicious.

Just my thoughts...

siegersallee · 07-03-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

I think it more likely, though, that they don't want the party they purchased a gun from to know how much they are actually getting for it. Regards, Norm

Norme, that makes sense to me as a dealer reason, nefarious as it may be.

Quote:

There is no reason I can think of except that something about the pistol or its history may be suspect.

ithacaartist, that is exactly what I have concluded. For an private person trying to sell a luger, it smacks of a scam.

Edward Tinker · 07-03-2012, 04:23 PM

Most of it is unfounded fear; that someone (I have no idea who that someone is) may 'claim' that the firearm is actually theirs.

I personally have never, ever heard of this actually happening, not that it couldn't happen...

The real reason and what I have been told by several dealers is what has happened to them, even then I am unsure if this is a truism or another 'myth'...

alvin · 07-03-2012, 06:01 PM

Many people on internet hide s/n because they saw other people doing that. This illness propagates so quickly in the internet era, so even newly acquired brand-new shotgun posted having s/n masked on pictures, for God-knows-what-is-that "security" reason

====

[Edit] In collecting context, could this be possible, say, a 70% gun with s/n exposed one day. Months or years later, another 95% one appears on market with same s/n ?? This must be relatively more common than a gun being on a stolen list in its history.

mrerick · 07-03-2012, 10:13 PM

Also, to support David's note, It's very common for crime reports not to get the complete serial number for a stolen military numbered pistol. Thus, they will include "Luger" and four numeric digits when it's put into the state and federal systems. There could be a few thousand Lugers carrying the same numeric digits.

In some ways, it may be more secure to actually disclose the serial number of pistols that you own. It establishes ownership at a given time, especially when accompanied by identifiable pictures that show unique marks and flaws.

Marc

07-03-2012, 12:59 PM	#1
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	Serial number posting security concerns? I was recently told that some people do not post their luger serial numbers owing to security concerns. Would someone please explain what exactly the concern is? Richard __________________ "Für Gott, Kaiser, und Vaterland" -seeking: Erfrut Mag 1229 (no script)

07-03-2012, 01:04 PM	#2
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	I had no issue's posting mine up so ya got me. __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

07-03-2012, 02:26 PM	#4
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	I agree with you. __________________ charlie

07-03-2012, 03:04 PM	#6
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	When I posted pictures of my 1913 Erfurt I boastfully took clear pictures of the serial number. I just don't understand why a person would post pics of their luger on this board and cover up the serial number claiming it is for security reasons. It strikes me very negatively; I can't help but be suspicious. Just my thoughts... __________________ "Für Gott, Kaiser, und Vaterland" -seeking: Erfrut Mag 1229 (no script)

07-03-2012, 04:23 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Most of it is unfounded fear; that someone (I have no idea who that someone is) may 'claim' that the firearm is actually theirs. I personally have never, ever heard of this actually happening, not that it couldn't happen... The real reason and what I have been told by several dealers is what has happened to them, even then I am unsure if this is a truism or another 'myth'... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-03-2012, 01:57 PM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,368 Thanks: 7,432 Thanked 2,610 Times in 1,378 Posts	There is no reason I can think of except that something about the pistol or its history may be suspect. It's like hiding your license plate number when you drive your car. Why would anyone do it? The obvious reason is that the license plate is stolen, or had been used in a crime. What leverage/power could be held over someone who revealed the serial number of his legitimately owned gun, by whom, and for what purpose? None that I could think of...with this possible exception: The only remote possibility I've ever heard of is that, because a Luger's serial number is not necessarily one-of-a-kind, someone's pistol may become controversial because its serial number matches that of another Luger that is on record as contraband in some way. Legitimate pistols usually have paperwork of some sort--bill of sale, transfer record, registration, etc. which, when produced, may help deal with this potential situation, which is extremely rare to begin with. It would be like finding a matching number original part; doing so, though very, very infrequent, would still be possible. The risk of something happening like this is so small that I'd personally never worry about it. Though it's probably a big hassle if it occurs, one's chances of its happening to them are insignificant; I would NEVER lose a moments sleep worrying about it. There are those, however, who worry about everything, regardless of real probability. I'm sure you know some of them. This is unreasonable. Focusing concern on only the possibility, to the exclusion of rationally considering the probability, is something some people just do. This attitude is impervious to factual information and logic. As in the Monty Python routine "Flying Sheep", "Sheep are very dim: once they get an idear into their 'eads, there's no shiftin' it." Regardless of a notion's accuracy, we tend to hold on to the ones we already have, defending them to the death whether they are "real", or make any sense at all. This is MHO, of course; I'm open to the possibility of being incorrect or misinformed, and await different/better info. In the case another well-reasoned answer or credible information arrives some day, all I need to do is change my mind. David Parker

07-03-2012, 02:33 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	The reason for not posting the last two digits of the serial number, given by many dealers, is that they fear someone will buy a gun, switch a numbered part for one they need, then return the gun for credit. I think it more likely, though, that they don't want the party they purchased a gun from to know how much they are actually getting for it. Regards, Norm

07-03-2012, 06:01 PM	#9
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Many people on internet hide s/n because they saw other people doing that. This illness propagates so quickly in the internet era, so even newly acquired brand-new shotgun posted having s/n masked on pictures, for God-knows-what-is-that "security" reason ==== [Edit] In collecting context, could this be possible, say, a 70% gun with s/n exposed one day. Months or years later, another 95% one appears on market with same s/n ?? This must be relatively more common than a gun being on a stolen list in its history.

07-03-2012, 10:13 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Also, to support David's note, It's very common for crime reports not to get the complete serial number for a stolen military numbered pistol. Thus, they will include "Luger" and four numeric digits when it's put into the state and federal systems. There could be a few thousand Lugers carrying the same numeric digits. In some ways, it may be more secure to actually disclose the serial number of pistols that you own. It establishes ownership at a given time, especially when accompanied by identifiable pictures that show unique marks and flaws. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.