Since the Gun Control Act of 1968 went into effect, American firearms manufacturers must include a serial number on every gun's frame or receiver for identification. This serial number can be used to search for the make, model and history of a gun, but the type of information the average person can get is limited. Here's the scoop on what info a gun's serial number can dish out.
Look for Identifying Marks
As of 2002, imported firearms must also bear a serial number. The serial number is just one required piece of information that must be engraved on a gun, and all firearms must bear the following engraved on the piece:
This video shows how to play the Mii theme from the Wii on Trumpet. Subscribe for new videos ever Monday. May 15, 2016 - Print and download in PDF or MIDI Mii Channel. I'm one cool papa. Apr 22, 2017 - Print and download in PDF or MIDI Mii Channel Theme. For music with liam and amanda. Sep 17, 2017 - Print and download in PDF or MIDI Mii Channel Theme Wii. From the Nintendo WII.
- Manufacturer's name
- Country of origin
- Model designation, if one is assigned
- Caliber or gauge of the gun
- Importer information, including the importer's city or state.
There are a few exceptions, like machine guns, but if your gun has a serial number and no other additional markings, it was probably manufactured before 2002.
When the Serial Number Is Your Only Clue
Whether your pre-2002 gun has only a serial number mark or you're sorting through a list of serial numbers for guns to be distributed, for example, in a will, there are ways to figure out the make and model.
![Manufacturer Manufacturer](https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/assets/dropbox/watch/large/f8e9416808b3b005e8a6fc6e7bc31384.jpg)
Do a Google search. Enter the words 'gun serial number' in the search bar, followed by the portion of the number before the first hyphen. This tells you the gun's maker. For example, with a gun serial number of 331-12345, just enter 331. The search 'gun serial number 331' brings up results for the Ruger SR9, which is the gun's correct make and model. For serial numbers with multiple hyphens, you might need to include additional numbers between the first and second hyphen to get the most accurate results. For an serial number of 16-003-123-95, enter 'gun serial number 16-003' to learn that the number is for an AyA shotgun.
Check the manufacturer's website. Once you've determined the model, go on the manufacturer's website to find which year the gun was made, from the digits following the dash. In this instance, 331-12345 was manufactured in the year 2007. In the case of the AyA number, the gun was manufactured in 1995, evidenced by the last two numbers, and '123' is its identifying number.
Check the NRA Museum for antiques. If Google doesn't give you satisfactory information, the NRA Museum online might provide leads through their serialization database. The 47-page PDF lists gun manufacturers and their serial numbers dating back to the 1890s.
Checking to See if a Gun Is Stolen
Buying a gun through a licensed gun shop will help ensure you're not buying a stolen weapon or one that was involved in a crime, but what if you're buying from a private individual?
- Check your state's gun laws. Not all states allow private individuals to sell firearms without going through a licensed firearms dealer. If the sale is illegal, chances are the gun is too.
- Check the serial number online through HotGunz, Stolen-Property or other stolen firearm sites. Not getting a hit doesn't mean the gun isn't stolen, however. The sites' information comes from citizens reporting their stolen guns. People who lose their guns' serial numbers won't be able to report them on the sites. Get a notarized bill of sale for any gun you purchase so you'll have some protection if the gun is later identified as stolen property.
- Enlist the help of law enforcement. Tracing a gun's serial number through the ATF to see if it was involved in a crime is only permissible for law enforcement agencies involved in a bona fide criminal investigation where a gun is recovered or suspected to be involved. However, some police stations will run checks through the National Crime Information Center to see if the gun is listed as stolen.
References
Photo Credits
- gun image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
About the Author
Indulging her passion for wide open spaces and outdoor fitness through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, author Jodi Thornton-O'Connell takes the mystery out of outdoor skills and guides readers to discover fun ways to physically connect to natural surroundings.
Every gun has a serial number. The serial number can tell you the manufacturer's date and model. Finding out whether or not a gun you purchased has been reported stolen can also be determined from a gun's serial number. If you want to look up information about a gun, you can contact the gun manufacturer or your local police, or visit online databases to find out whether the gun is stolen.
Locate the Gun Serial Number
![Manufacturer serial number search Manufacturer serial number search](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-7wBh1N523E/maxresdefault.jpg)
The serial number can be found in many different locations. Typically the serial number can be found on the handle, slide, trigger guard or receiver. There is no typical serial number. For example, a Browning serial number can range in length from eight to ten characters, a Glock number is only five characters long. Serial numbers can contain both numbers and letters. A serial number is stamped in metal so it doesn't wear easily. If a serial number is worn, try looking for the serial number in a different place on the gun (some guns will have more than one serial number). A worn or filed-off serial number is an indicator of a stolen gun.
Contact the Manufacturer
Call the gun manufacturer or go to the manufacturer's website to access their online search tool. There is no central resource for gun manufacturers. See Resources for the gun manufacturer's online directory of many gun manufacturer websites. For lesser-known manufacturers, you can conduct a search online or look at your user manual for contact information. Submit the gun serial number to the representative over the phone or enter it into the search field online. Write down the gun manufacturing date and the gun model as provided by the representative or online search tool.
Gun History
Check the search tool in the state where you purchased the gun. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement agencies, for instance, provides a free online search tool. If that gun is reported stolen, the search tool will display that information. You can conduct a search online for checking firearm serial numbers in your state, or go directly to the police department as described in step two.
Visit Your Local Police Department
Give the officer the gun serial number and ask him to run a check on the gun. If the gun was ever reported stolen anywhere in the United States, the officer will be able to tell you. The police department will run the gun's serial number through the FBI's NCIC database which records all stolen guns that have been reported in every state.
Go Online
Enter the serial number into a third-party website like HotGunz or StolenWeapon. A gun owner may register the gun with one of these sites after he realizes that it is stolen. These sites, therefore, can only tell you if the gun has been previously registered to them as stolen, not if the gun has been reported stolen to a law enforcement agency.
Before you begin
- You can find these numbers in several places, including Settings, on the physical device, in iTunes, and on the original packaging.
- When you contact Apple for support, you can use the serial number or the IMEI/MEID number to identify your iOS device.
Find your serial number, IMEI/MEID, or ICCID
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Look for your device's serial number. You might need to scroll down to find the IMEI/MEID, and ICCID.
- Want to paste this information into Apple registration or support forms? Touch and hold the number to copy.
Still haven't found the number that you need? See the following sections.
iPhone
On these devices, find the serial number in Settings and the IMEI/MEID on the SIM tray. If you need support but you can't view the Settings menu, you can use the IMEI/MEID instead of the serial number:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
On these devices, find the serial number in Settings and the IMEI/MEID (the MEID is the first 14 digits of the IMEI) on the back. If you need support but you can't view the Settings menu, you can use the IMEI/MEID instead of the serial number:
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
On these devices, find the serial number and IMEI/MEID on the SIM tray:
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4 (GSM model)
- iPhone 4s
If you have an original iPhone, find the serial number and IMEI engraved on the back.
iPad and iPod touch
Find the serial number for your iPad Pro, iPad, or iPod touch on the back of the device. On an iPad (cellular model), you'll also find the IMEI. The MEID is the first 14 digits of the IMEI.
iTunes
You can also find your device's serial number in iTunes:
- Connect your iOS device to your computer.
- If iTunes doesn't launch automatically, open it.
- Locate your device. Click the Summary tab to see its information.
- For an iPhone, click Phone Number to find the IMEI/MEID and ICCID. For an iPad (cellular model), click Serial Number to find the CDN, IMEI/MEID, and ICCID.
If you'd like to paste this information into Apple registration or support forms, choose Edit > Copy Serial Number.
If you don't have your device
There are several places to check that might show your device's serial or IMEI/MEID number.
- Go to your Apple ID account page (appleid.apple.com) in a web browser on your computer.
- Sign in with the Apple ID that you use on the device that you need the serial or IMEI/MEID of.
- Scroll down to the section called Devices. To see a device's serial and IMEI/MEID number, select that device.
If you still need help, here's what to try next:
- Do you have a different iOS device with iOS 10.3 or later that's signed in to your Apple ID? On that device, tap Settings > [Your name]. Scroll down to see any devices signed in to your Apple ID. To view the serial and IMEI/MEID number, tap the device name.
- Do you still have your device's original package? Find the serial number and IMEI/MEID on the barcode:
- Still can't find the number that you need? Contact Apple Support by selecting your device from this list:
Acronym | Definition |
---|---|
MSN | Microsoft Network |
MSN | Master's of Science in Nursing |
MSN | Mission |
MSN | Mobile Suit (Newtype; Gundam gaming) |
MSN | Medical Surgical Nursing |
MSN | Messi-Suárez-Neymar (nickname for Barcelona soccer stars) |
MSN | Make Some Noise |
MSN | Mobile Social Network |
MSN | Mobile Ad-Hoc and Sensor Networks (International Conference) |
MSN | Medicare Summary Notice |
MSN | Multiple Subscriber Number (ISDN) |
MSN | Michigan School of Nursing |
MSN | Middle School North (various locations) |
MSN | Mobile Service Node |
MSN | Multiple Serial Number |
MSN | Multi System Network |
MSN | Modem Serial Number |
MSN | Multiple Subscriber Number |
MSN | Manufacturing Sequence Number |
MSN | Multilayer Switched Network |
MSN | Multicast Service Node |
MSN | Management Services Network (various locations) |
MSN | Mahou Sensei Negima (anime) |
MSN | Message Sequence Number |
MSN | Mandatory Spay/Neuter |
MSN | Museum Security Network (mailing list) |
MSN | Martian Successor Nadesico (anime series) |
MSN | Microsoft Service Network |
MSN | Maquila Solidarity Network (Canada) |
MSN | Manufacturer Serial Number |
MSN | Military Service Number |
MSN | Moesin (gene) |
MSN | Mexico Solidarity Network |
MSN | Merchant Services Network |
MSN | Multi-Service Network |
MSN | Multiple Special Needs |
MSN | Medium Spiny Neurons |
MSN | Math/Science Network (Oakland, CA) |
MSN | Madison, WI, USA - Dane County Regional Airport (Airport Code) |
MSN | Monitoring Cell Sequence Number |
MSN | Most Significant Nibble |
MSN | Multi-Service Node |
MSN | Maine Support Network (Readfield, ME) |
MSN | Mechanical Serial Number |
MSN | Muslim Student Network |
MSN | Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle |
MSN | Marine Safety Network |
MSN | Modern Satellite Network |
MSN | Memorial Service Network (National Cemetery Administration; US VA) |
MSN | Methodist Student Network (University of South Carolina) |
MSN | Mass Spectrometry to the N-th Power |
MSN | Migration Storage Node |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
Link to this page:
05-11-201101:34 PM
how to tell date of manufacture of 1q524 NC701AA-ABA from serial number or how to look up?
when were they first introduced?
05-12-201108:30 AM - last edited on 02-21-201711:34 AM by
dlkegarise
See here for the release date. For the serial number the typical format is to have the 4th, 5th, and 6th characters to reference when the product was built. The first character is the year date (Y) and the next two (WW), the week in that year it was made.
CCSYWWZZZZ
Hope this helps you and anwsers your questions. Regards.
05-12-201107:53 PM
05-31-201209:38 AM - last edited on 11-04-201412:34 PM by
I would like to know the manufacture date of my designjet. Model # Q1272a serial # [Personal Information Removed]
02-18-201502:14 AM - last edited on 03-13-201501:35 PM by
Can you help me to find the YOM for serial No [moderator edited serial number]
08-25-201603:51 PM
The 4th, 5th, and 6th characters in the serial number of my HP laptop are 214. To what year does the 2 refer, 2012, 2002, or what? I get that the 14 refers to the 14th week of the year, but I cannot decode the year. Please help. Thanks.
Ron
04-25-201701:41 PM
@dlkegarise wrote:how to tell date of manufacture of 1q524 NC701AA-ABA from serial number or how to look up?
when were they first introduced?
- Open Menu
Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask the community