When were serial numbers mandated?

[DadSmith]

When were serial numbers mandated? Old Revolver

I have an old revolver in 38 S&W. It has no serial number on it anywhere. How old is this pistol? I'll get the make and model later it's at home right now.

I'll post pictures as well.

 

[pack-indy]

1968 was the mandate from my quick search.
Edit: yep Gun Control Act of 1968

https://lawcenter.giffords.org/gun-laws/federal-law/other-laws/key-federal-acts-regulating-firearms/

 

[DadSmith]

1968 was the mandate from my quick search.
Edit: yep Gun Control Act of 1968

https://lawcenter.giffords.org/federal-law-on-dealer-regulations/

Okay thanks. So did some companies not serialize their firearms before that?

 

[pack-indy]

Manufacturers still did for record keeping, especially the house hold names but I'm not sure others would have. For example, I have a Winchester Model 70 from 1955 that I looked up by the serial number.

 

[DadSmith]

I seen it at a gun show. It was on the cheap. I had my gunsmith check it out. He said it's still shootable. Now just have to find dies, brass. And .360 caliber bullets to test it. I can't find 38 S&W at my local gun shops. My gunsmith thinks it was made around 1920.

 

[snorko]

Lots of now defunct companies produced revolvers in .32 S&W and .38 S&W in the early 1900s. Ammo can be found locally with a lot of looking. i have a couple revolvers in this caliber but don't keep much ammo on hand. Just a box or three I ordered online.

 

[CampingJosh]

Manufacturers still did for record keeping, especially the house hold names but I'm not sure others would have. For example, I have a Winchester Model 70 from 1955 that I looked up by the serial number.

Not all manufacturers used serial numbers for record keeping, even among the major companies. Remington is the one that comes to mind for me, though it is quite unlikely that it's a Remington revolver in .38 S&W.

 

[Leadeye]

Not a hard cartridge to reload, cast lead bullets work quite well. A soft alloy can help with accuracy if the bore size is too large.

 

[DadSmith]

It's a Harrington and Richardson. I cannot find a model or serial number on it other than the patient date. Can anyone identify the model and maybe a year this was made?

 

[KellyinAvon]

It's a Harrington and Richardson. I cannot find a model or serial number on it other than the patient date. Can anyone identify the model and maybe a year this was made?

H&R put the serial number under the grips on some old models.

 

[DadSmith]

H&R put the serial number under the grips on some old models.

Okay I'll check that out.