Restoring serial numbers

And, your comment brings up the I hate to say it arguments for and against gun control. Before relatively-recent times, nobody really kept track of serial numbers. Use one of those, wipe it clean, and it is untraceable, numbers notwithstanding. He died, and the gun passed to his son. Lee Lofland is a nationally acclaimed expert on police procedure and crime-scene investigation, and is a popular conference, workshop, and motivational speaker.

Lee has consulted for many bestselling authors, television and film writers, and for online magazines. Lee has appeared as an expert on national television, BBC Television, and radio shows. To schedule Lee for your event, contact him at [email protected].

Restoration gel for steel also available for copper and aluminum. Other VIN locations. Good luck tracing that one …. Elizabeth Howell. Related Audiobooks Free with a 30 day trial from Scribd. On Animals Susan Orlean. Pastoral Song James Rebanks. A Wild Idea Jonathan Franklin. Serial number restoration 1. These number are linked to the buyer of the firearm.

Whether it is a handgun or motor vehicle, it takes little effort on the part of the perpetrator to grind off these identifying marks. Obliteration The serial number is no longer visible due to the removal of the top layer of the metal. The area below the obliterated layer is affected by the stamping process and is the reason serial number restoration is possible. Serial Number Restoration An obliterated serial number typically has a surface that has been scratched so that the number is no longer recognizable 7.

Polishing the surface will help in visualizing the serial number. The polished surface gives us specular reflection even, consistent reflection of light where as the area that is attacked by the acid will yield diffuse reflection. The dark appearance of the numbers is the result of diffuse reflection. This can be done by writing down the numbers or photographing the results.

Additionally, the chemicals used to etch the metal should be documented in the notes. Marisa Thomas Dec. RichToko Dec. Pavnil Patel Nov. Total views. It may or it may not help. One must be familiar with the practice of the manufacturer of that make of gun. A knowledge of the place where a serial number may usually be found is, of course, of great assistance.

Higgins " Model 88 revolver. The model number is present on both sides of the grips. The manufacturer High Standard Co. The serial number is on the lower right side of the frame and only there. The manufacturer's identification number must not be confused with the serial number. Failing to find any useful information by a careful inspection of the gun, one may then resort to a restoration of the number. The first thing to do is to take a good photograph, preferably enlarged several times, of the area upon which the number should appear, in order to show the exact condition that existed before any treatment was made.

This is important as a matter of record and, of course, is routine procedure in most laboratories. Next, if the area is rough, as it is very likely to be, it should be made smooth and then polished. Care must be taken not to remove too much metal-but smoothing and polishing will make the figures more distinct as they appear. The choice of etching agent depends on the nature of the metal. A rather extensive investigation of this matter was made in the author's laboratory and fifteen different etching solutions were studied.