The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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    Re: Missing barrel stamping Archived Message

    Posted by SGT on January 24, 2007, 12:49 pm, in reply to "Missing barrel stamping"

    What is the complete serial number on the gun frame? With all the serial number duplication from different production periods, how can you/we be sure you have a 20's vintage gun without a serial number? On pre-13 guns one will see a variety of barrel stamps, and barels not stamped; but stamps are usually very consistent as to Grade and manufacturer ID on post-13 guns from the Crown Grade downwards. Without seeing the gun, yes; the stamp may have been omitted, or perhaps the barrels have been factory replaced after the Marlin acquisition, or perhaps you have a Marlin era gun and have mistakenly ID'd their "S" serial number prefix as a Specialty grade stamp mark? But even if the Hunter Arms Fulton, NY roll-stamp die was broken on the day the barrels for your gun were produced, it is doubtful that such an omission would increase the collector's appeal of the gun.


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