• Free Serial Number Check For Guns
• Serial Number Finder For Guns

• HubPages»
• Sports and Recreation»
• Hunting & Shooting»

The below link can do a check based upon a general description and through the firearm’s serial number. A thief cannot easily sell a stolen firearm if everyone knows it is stolen. As a responsible gun owner it is your duty to do everything in your power to get your firearm off the streets.

What year was your gun created?

How to search for your firearm or gun date of creation or manufacture via it's serial number. There is unfortunately no one stop shop for this task but hopefully with the help of this lense you will be able to find your firearm by manufacturer below and follow their link in order to track your weapon. Use the links below and please have your model and serial number handy so you can provide it on the corresponding pages in order to find out when your gun was made.

Colt Firearms

Visit Colt 1911 Website

Colt is known for creating some of the highest quality firearms including the 1911 pistol supported by numerous other awesome standard and tactical pieces of equipment, from rifles to shotguns.

Not able to locate the date of manufacture for your Colt firearm? Well we did some digging and found that Colt offers an archival service for a moderate fee to locate all records of your original Colt shipment. They provide every spec about the gun, who is was shipped to, when it was shipped, and even how many other firearms were shipped at the same time as yours. You can find the order form and specifications of Colt Manufacturing's archival service here.

Browning Firearms

Visit Browning Firearms Website

Browning Firearms has created and manufactured firearms from shotguns, rifles, rimfires, and pistols including many other gun related accessories.

How to find your Serial Number

Use these videos to find the serial number on your gun or firearm.

Glock Firearms

Visit Glock Perfection Website

Here you will find the Glock Talk forums where you can search and chat with individuals who own glocks and can share information with you on finding out 'When was your glock made?' Just click the register link on the top left to start.

Free Serial Number Check For Guns

Makarov Firearms

Visit MakarovWebsite

Makarov (PM - Pistolet Makarova) - Here you will find the serial number break down by letters and numbers in order to find out when you Makarov firearm was created. This is as simple as matching red to red, blue to blue, or 1 to 1. Ensure you have your serial number handy and visit this site to begin.

Marlin Firearms

Visit Marlin Lookup Website

Visit the link above to find out when your Marlin firearm was manufactured. The website is straight forward and all you have to do is type in the serial number to your gun and BAM you are presented with the date of creation, simple as that. Marlin firearms are kept in a database along with other manufactured firearms for easy reference.

Remington Firearms

Visit Remington Society Website

Firearm dating information about Remington series firearms and guns provided by the Remington Society. You can reference the above website in order to date your firearm by the numbers and letters in the serial number and also learn how to read the serial number to know what each number and letter stands for, just like in a drivers license number.

Sears Branded Firearms

Visit Sears Firearms Website

This is more of a cross reference for Sears branded firearms as well as just about every other manufacturer. This cross reference can be used to figure out which Sears firearm was created by which manufacturer as a mirror model of their own. Then use the links on this lense to look up the firearm that your Sears Firearm is most like to find out the year of manufacture.

Taurus Firearms

Visit Taurus Firearms Website

The Taurus Model Number Lookup System will help you find detailed information about your Taurus Gun. Enter the serial number (no spaces) of your firearm and click on 'Search' to identify your model. (You must click the 'search' button to get your results.

Winchester Firearms

Visit Winchester Lookup Website

Similar to the Marlin lookup tool above (and provided by the same website) comes the Winchester lookup tool. You can simply visit the above web site and type in your serial number off of your Winchester firearm and TADA the date is quickly retrieved from their database and displayed on your screen. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Firearm Poll - When Was My Gun Made?

If your firearm manufacturer was not listed or covered in this lense. Please vote 'other' below and add a comment as to which firearm you are looking for and I will do my best to find and update the information on this lens for you.

U.S. Military Firearms

Visit US Military Firearms Database Website

Select whether your firearm is a handgun or a long gun and choose the appropriate link to be directed to oldguns.net look up tool. Once there simply search for the date your firearm was created by typing in the serial number in the box.

Which firearm are you looking up? - When Was My Gun Made?

• J Stevens Model 35, serial number 49536 production date. thanks

• Ruger P.38 6779 and 9857 Wa 135 and b/f 44 has German swastika on it. I would like to know about it.

• I have an old double barrel 12ga. shotgun made (or maybe sold by) New York Arms Co. N.Y.serial # 60318. Can anyone tell me the year of manufacture ?

• nickle 38 snub nose no markings on it so don't know who made it only has the serial number 42781 and on the butt it has number 303

• hunter arms dbl barrel shotgun 12 gauge made in fulton ny made by embers royal #389619

• 38 cal, U S Revolver CO. serial number, 30912, Seeking Date of production

• 70% cond sxs 410 ga

• US arms #44219 single barrel need the dob

• How old, what cal. Can i fire it and with what ammo s#27193

• 2377 number. year it was made. DA 38

• Neighbor has a very old S&Wchrome with pearl handles that I'm trying to buy, it looks brand new, it was given to his dad in 1931--217529, 38 Cal CTG--- he also has an old Colt 22 or pistol- 40160, it has 3 dates on it December 22 1903--August 27 1918 September sept 3 1918, I want to be fair when I make an offer but I really want both

• k323903. Mossburg 500a. Pump 12ga.

• I was looking for High Standard Supermatic Citation_Military

• find the serial number for smith and Wesson revolver model 29-mountain gun

• Was wondering some info on this seriel number 50927

• IT'S A 243 WIN AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE 2-00 AND THEN PNP 19 TONS PER STAMPED ON THE RECEIVER. SERIAL # 11M3828

• 20 gauge double double hunter arms . The Fulton I wanna know how old is it

• I have a crescent firearms double barrel 12 guage with triumph hammerless

• I have a Browning A 5 16 gauge shotgun s/n 15436 How old is this gun and what is it worth

• I have a Cooey model m39 .22, CT007728 would like to know the year please.

• Rifle is a Venezuelan FN Model 24/30 Short rifle, Serial # 38198

• I have a Highstandard mod E .22 LR pistol, it looks very old. I would know when it was made.

• I haven't found any info for this rifle Midland gun co.. England 270cal.bolt rifle serial #014770

• American gun ser#4957

• trying to find sate of man.

• 3869

• correction 089704

• looking for year of make of my german made 22.LR 8 shot,HW7 revolver serial number 753040 Arminius,

• I'm trying to look up the model of my gun. All I have is a serial number 78468 the maker of the gun bringingham the barrel length is 25 in it is a rifle

• AR10

• Looking for information on S&W 38cal (Top Breakover) serial number 2068MF

• I got a connecticut arms co. 12 ga. Where like to know the age vin..GB798

• I was bequeathed a S&W 18-3 22ir. The gun is fully functional. the serial number is:3K92331. Can you tell me anything about it? Age, value...

• I have a Savage Model 99 rifle with serial # c114387 Can you tell me the date of manufactor?

• I have a Ranger 520A Sears Roebuck 102.25 12 gauge shotgun, serial number U122587 can you tell me who manufactured it and when?

• Can you tell me when was my gun made?

  It is an H&R 38 s&w top break hammerless

  with serial number: 144771

  There is no date on the barrel... just

  Harrington & Richardson Arms Co

  Worcester, Mass. U.S.A

• looking for mfg date

• Would like to know when my S & W .38 cal revolver was mfg. Ser. # J618946

• hunting rifle, vector-m98 (mauser). looking to find out where and when it was made, s# 3842u has id# also

• Year my Hi-Point CF380 pistol was manufactured

• Savage model 11. serial # G 492159

• I have a top break 32 s&w, serial number 325921, was wondering if you could tell me what year it was made, thanks

• I am trying to find the age of my aya cosmos 20 bore single barrel shotgun

• I inherited this beautiful Rifle from my Grandfather. It is a Bolt-Action with a 10 round Magazine. The site switches from 300 yards to 600 yards. It has multi serial numbers and says No 4 Mk1 on it. The printed ser # 1503585 and there is a scratched in ser # B336078

  Thanks

• I need to track an Ithaca model 37 that has been in my family for as long as I can remember, I have been told that it was used in Vietnam by my great grandfather and the gun was used in Vietnam but I have no way of being sure. Some closure would be really nice and thank you!

• I have a Colt Single Action Army in 45 long ser# S31454A what gen and year is it?

• Have a Smith and Wesson #29-2, Serial #N315793. Would like to know the date it was made.

• I have a Burgo 22 lr revolver sn 114087 any info will be appreciated.

• I have an Astra Falcon 9mm pistol that I bought back in 1979. Would this be regarded as an antique now??

• I have a 9mm sanw model459 serial# a828230. Need to know when ir was mafe.

• I got a cattleman 357 magnum seral number 07910 can you tell me when it was made an maybe how much its worth

• Have a Savage 110, serial # f509251, when was it made? Thanks

• We have a British Sterling 9mm rifle SN KR95822. Can you tell me when manufactured and any history?

• I have my grand father's iver johnson owl head .32 caliber pistol, serial number 55688, no letters, how old is it, when was it made???

• model 99 savage 250-3000 ser# 206401when made where and current value.

• Need manufacture date and value for my savage 99 250 3000. # 206401

• I Was wondering what year my Iver Johnson 55A was made serial # is H 40793? Thank you

• when was it made?

• I have a V.Bernadelli 9mm auto pistol. Serial number 00188.

  When was it made and sold.

• browning B17619 only numbers I can find 12 Ga pump what else can you find out

• I'm looking for when my Stevens Model 311 Series H 12 ga. sxs shotgun was made.

  serial number B087xxx

• researching manufactured year of Ceasar Guerini Summit Sport Limited Serual #102979

• i have a rife with the serial number ar3294 it looks like a carcano rifle but i am not sure of what year other it looks like a ww 2 rifle.

• looking for my build on a ruger m77 semi bull barrell, 22-250, model 75-88572 somewhere around 1981

• i have a desert eagle pistol , how do i find how old my pistol is?

• Looking for info.on a H&R top break hammerless revolver the serial #30085 the 3 is a 3 i think The cylinder has 85 on it cant make out patent numbers and years on barrel

• H&R top break hammerless revolver serial number 30085 i think the 3 is a 3 anyways

• Curious @ production date of Beretta Border Marshal 96 Brigadier F 40 cal. (BER142876)

• When was rifle made

• I'm looking for mfg date of an h&r pioneer 22 rifle s/n 6634

• When was Nitro Hunter 20 ga. shotgun made. Serial Number A74662

• Have an old Harrington & Richardson break open 16gauge from my Dad that I want to pass to my son. Would like to give more information to him than.. hey. It was grandpas. Lol. Serial # is 135153

• Find the year my gun was made by using the serial number 915179.

• What year is my gun and what can iget for it?

  858015

Are Firearms without Serial Numbers Illegal?

If you’re a Law Abiding Gun Owner (LAGO) who primarily uses modern firearms, a firearm without a serial number would probably look strange to you. In fact, it should look strange to you, and in most cases someone selling you or giving to you a firearm with a tarnished serial number should nearly give you a heart attack. Although our younger generations have never lived in the America where serial numbers were optional, this was in fact the case long ago. At that point in time, the manufacturers held the power to choose whether or not to utilize serial numbers. Some did as per their own internal policies. Others didn’t. How did we get to practice we know today?

In 1934, Congress enacted the National Firearms Act (NFA). At the time, it was the most restrictive federal firearms legislation that had ever been enacted in the United States. It didn’t apply to every gun as it defined “firearms” somewhat narrowly.

According to the NFA Handbook (produced by BATFE, see http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/guides/publications-firearms-national-firearms-act-handbook), “Congress found these firearms to pose a significant crime problem because of their frequent use in crime, particularly the gangland crimes of that era such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”

The NFA imposed several restrictions in efforts to reduce the criminal use of these particular weapons. Among many other restrictions, the act required all firearms subject to the NFA to have serial numbers on them.

Retrieved from www.nationalcrimesyndicate.com- on January 3, 2015.

In 1968, the Gun Control Act (GCA) imposed numerous additional requirements in the arena of gun manufacture. As per the GCA, all firearms manufactured or imported into the United States are required to bear a serial number. This law ―which was effective October 22, 1968― extends the serial requirement beyond the specific group of NFA regulated firearms.

The serial number requirement remains in effect today, which explains our modern conceptions. In a Firearms Verification Guidebook issued by BATFE, the following serial number requirements are listed:

• Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame or receiver.
• The serial number cannot duplicate the serial number appearing on any other firearm the importer previously imported.
• For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.

To view additional requirements, please consult the Guidebook at https://www.atf.gov/files/firearms/guides/importation-verification/download/firearms-imporation-verification-guidebook–firearms-verification.pdf.

If a gun doesn’t meet these requirements, it’s important to make a few determinations to be certain to maintain LAGO status. It is entirely possible to come across a pre-’68 gun with no serial number. However, it’s vital to be certain that the serial number wasn’t grinded off, removed, or obliterated.

Per 18 U.S.C. 922 (k), “It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.”

There’s also a similar provision in the NFA making it a crime to “to receive or possess a firearm [as defined by the NFA] having the serial number or other identification required by this chapter obliterated, removed, changed, or altered.” 26 U.S.C. § 5861(h).

The message seems to be, if it isn’t there, it better not have ever been there. However, there appears to be a tricky period between the enactment of the NFA in 1934 and the GCA in 1968:

• Suppose there is a non-NFA firearm which was manufactured PRE October 22, 1968. The firearm has no serial number. However, the firearm never had a serial number. The lack of a serial number does not render the firearm illegal.
• Suppose there is a firearm which was manufactured POST October 22, 1968. If the firearm has no serial number, and never had a serial number, the lack of a serial number renders the firearm illegal. [Except a non-NFA home manufacture that you have no intent to sell, which we will explain later.]
• Suppose there is a firearm which was manufactured POST October 22, 1968. The firearm had a serial number, but it has been removed. Possession of this firearm is illegal.
• Suppose there is a firearm which was manufactured PRE October 22, 1968. The firearm did have a serial number, as the manufacturer had utilized serial numbers on its firearms voluntarily. However, the serial number was removed for aesthetic or other reasons AFTER October 22, 1968. Possession of the firearm is illegal.
• Suppose there is a non-NFA firearm which was manufactured PRE October 22, 1968. The firearm did have a serial number, as the manufacturer had utilized serial numbers on its firearms voluntarily. This serial number was removed BEFORE October 22, 1968. Under the GCA, possession of the firearm is illegal. However, this is the most difficult scenario we will discuss, and here’s why:

The NFA of 1934 made it illegal to obliterate, remove or alter the serial number of a “firearm” as classified by the NFA. However, the NFA only applied to a specific class of weapons. Later on, the GCA made it illegal to obliterate, remove or alter the serial number of a much broader classification of firearm, not just those subject to the NFA.

With regards to firearms which are not subject to the NFA, it would appear that it was not necessarily illegal to obliterate, remove or alter the serial number before October 22, 1968. As previously mentioned, the manufacturers of non-NFA firearms held the power to choose whether or not to utilize serial numbers until 1968. Regardless of when it was done, the GCA made it illegal to merely possess a firearm if the serial number had been obliterated, removed or altered. What was legal to possess on October 21^st of 1968 became illegal to possess the following day.

*While it is our understanding that certain grace periods were recognized, the precise duration remains unconfirmed by any reliable sources. For the purpose of promoting a clear and fluid discussion, we will suppose there was no grace period. Any issues encountered within the last 40 years fall well outside of any possible grace period.

This poses two potential legal arguments.

First, some contend that the GCA posed ex post facto issues. Found in the United States Constitution, “[t]he ex post facto prohibition forbids the Congress and the States to enact any law ‘which imposes a punishment for an act which was not punishable at the time it was committed; or imposes additional punishment to that then prescribed.’” Weaver v. Graham, 450 U.S. 24, 28 (1981) quoting Cummings v. Missouri, 4 Wall. 277, 325–326, 18 L.Ed. 356 (1867).

However, it doesn’t appear that the GCA serial number provision necessarily constitutes an ex post facto prohibition. We must identify the offense to be punished. Under the GCA, the obliteration, alteration or removal of serial numbers on non-NFA firearms is illegal. If the law were to punish individuals for having done so before October 22, 1968 (at which point doing so was legal) the law would certainly qualify as ex post facto, and be invalid under the United States Constitution.

On the other hand, the GCA additionally prohibits the possession of a non-NFA firearm with serial numbers which have been destroyed. Because the law came into effect on October 22, 1968, the law would only technically prohibit possession from that point on. Because possession is an offense which takes place in the present tense, this provision would not be ex post facto. Even though possession of a firearm with obliterated serial numbers was completely legal on October 21, 1968, one’s possession of that same firearm two days later would be illegal. Because the law punishes the conduct of possession, which has occurred after the law has been enacted, the law is not ex post facto and is valid.

As a result, it seems that if an individual destroyed the serial numbers on a non-NFA firearm before the GCA was enacted, that particular conduct cannot be punished. More importantly, however, if that individual were to keep that firearm after enactment of the GCA, the conduct of possession could be punished, as the punishable conduct has occurred after enactment of the law.

The second potential argument comes in the form of the Takings Clause. For an extremely in-depth discussion, see The Public Use Test: Would a Ban on the Possession of Firearms Require Just Compensation?http://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3833&context=lcp

The Fifth Amendment prevents the government from taking private property for public use without providing the owner with just compensation. Takings are not limited solely to physical confiscation, but can stem from regulations which leave owners with no alternative use for their property, or a severe diminution in value. In order for the taking to require compensation, it must be for public use. Public use has additionally been somewhat narrowly construed. In fact, the Court has made a distinction between active use and passive benefit. Ultimately, in order for a compensable taking to have taken place under the Fifth Amendment, these factors must be present.

In the case of the GCA, there may very well have been legal owners of non-NFA firearms with obliterated serial numbers before 1968. Due to the enactment of the GCA, these firearms would become illegal, and have no alternative use whatsoever. There would be no opportunity to sell or transfer the firearms, as the federal law completely prohibited this. They could not keep them for the personal use they intended, as continued possession had been criminalized under the act. Unfortunately, although it is clear that a taking took place, this would not likely constitute a compensable taking. Although the GCA restrictions were enacted for the benefit of the public —so Congress claimed— the restrictions did not intend to initiate active public use. Rather, they were enacted under Congress’ enumerated powers over interstate commerce. The action under the commerce clause has been confirmed by the Court as valid. Consequently, it is unlikely that the GCA regulations could constitute a compensable taking under the Fifth Amendment.

As for those pre-GCA guns which were manufactured without serial numbers, some are still on the market. A dealer buying or selling a non-NFA firearm made before 1968 and without a serial number need only record “Made prior to 1968, no serial number” or “NSN” in the serial number space on his transaction record. Unless there is a state or local requirement, he need not apply a number or obtain a number from the police or BATFE.

Pre-1968 Remington, NSN, retrieved from gunauction.com on January 3, 2015.

There’s another possible scenario in which there is no serial number, and that is in the case of a home build. As of late, there has been a 80% or 60% receiver complete craze. In these particular cases, the gun cannot be sold or transferred and must only be for the manufacturer’s own personal use. If it is a home build manufactured by yourself, using your own equipment, for your own personal use, no serial number is required.

Although not required, BATFE has stated: “ . . . we suggest that the manufacturer at least identify the firearm with a serial number as a safeguard in the event that the firearm is lost or stolen. Also, the firearm should be identified as required in 27CFR478.92 if it is sold or otherwise lawfully transferred in the future.” http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/firearms-technology.html Again, this is simply a suggestion and not a legal requirement.

80% Lower Receiver – Type III Hard Anodized Billet AR-15 for sale by our friends at 80percentlower.com.

This applies strictly to non-NFA weapons, so if you want to home build it into an NFA via a Form 1 submission and approval, then NFA requirements control. In that case, a Form 1 must be filled out and approved before making it to a NFA controlled firearm and when it is completed, there must be proper markings per the NFA.

Serial Number Finder For Guns

Because of the long-standing serial number requirements, a LAGO should definitely expect to see them on firearms. While the lack of a serial number might be shocking at first, and is certainly a legitimate cause for concern, it doesn’t always render the gun illegal. If you encounter a firearm without a serial number, be sure to consult with professionals to ensure that the firearm is legal to possess.

For more beneficial reading on the topic, check out:

BATFE Firearms Tracing Guide: http://www.atf.gov/files/publications/download/p/atf-p-3312-13.pdf