To serialize or not to serialize ?

[brian10x]

I've already made my decision, but I was curious what opinions were.
I have a bunch of homemade guns from years of tinkering. As most of you know, it is not legally necessary to serialize homemade firearms.
However, should any of them ever get stolen, wouldn't it be wise to be able to positively identify the gun in order to get it back, or is it better that stolen gun never finds its way home?
In addition, if I ever decide to sell any of them, and I'm getting old, do you think serializing them would be a good idea?

[smithers599]

Hmmm. Interesting question.
What if, instead of a number, you put an "identifying mark" on each gun? Name them after famous American patriots, or zodiac signs, or birds, or Shakespeare characters, or something. Then, if one were stolen, you could identify it as "Hi-Point Pistol, marked Blue-Footed Booby" or "Rohm .22 revolver, marked Sam Whittemore."
Or give them names to confound liberals: Peace, Tolerance, Kindness, Understanding, Love.
If Da Gov were ever to give you a hard time about not having a serial number, you could say "That's the serial number." Doesn't have to be numerical, AFAIK.

[brian10x]

Well, I kinda have identifying marks an some of them already. I like to elctro-etch designs in my guns. I have Casper, the friendly ghost, the zombie response team, and crap like that. I have serialized a couple, but my serial numbers are simply my initials followed by a number ie: BS1

[mtptwo]

Well, what are the chances you would ever see them again in the case of theift? I would think 99% are gone for good, but I have no numbers to back that up.

[brian10x]

Valid point. However, I serialized them in a very discreet location, inside the receiver, so I may be the only one who even knows they are there.

[Java Junkie]

If you hide the numbers then no one even the cops will know they are there.
It all sounds like a big waste of time.

[Flash]

I wouldn't even consider serializing them.

I've got one gun now that isn't serialized, but it was manufactured before serial numbers became the law.

[xerts1191]

+1 what Smithers said

[smithers599]

Name them all "Kindness" plus a number: Kindness1, Kindness2, etc.
Lots of jury appeal, but only you will know that your motto is "Kill them with Kindness."

[Harrier]

I serialize all of my guns home built "U812"

[rjscolonel]

I built 3 1911's and was not going to serialize them. I took them to get cerakote but they would not take the frames in because of no serial number. I had to put a number on them to get cerakote. I put them under the grips so they would not be seen unless grips were off.

[knockonit]

I say whatever makes you feel like you accomplished something, numbers mean nothing except to authorities. jmo though.
happy holiday
Rj

[MarkItZero]

I serialize all of my guns home built "U812"

I know there's a joke or reference to something there, I'm just drawing a blank on what it is.

[Pscipio03]

I would serialize only if you are going to have any work on them done. Like what rjscolonel said above, no smith will touch it usually without a SN on it. If they are keeping the pistol they'll want to log it in my SN, and no SN means no ability to log it into their books. But, if you just plan on doing all work yourself like rattle can paint jobs and sight changes, I'd say leave them as is.

[MarkItZero]

I would serialize only if you are going to have any work on them done. Like what rjscolonel said above, no smith will touch it usually without a SN on it. If they are keeping the pistol they'll want to log it in my SN, and no SN means no ability to log it into their books. But, if you just plan on doing all work yourself like rattle can paint jobs and sight changes, I'd say leave them as is.

Serial numbers weren't required on guns made commercially before 1968. FFLs and C&Rs regularly handle weapons with no SNs. I believe they can simply write "none" or "N/A" or "NVSN" on 4473s and in their log books.