[charleym3]

I bought a S&W Mod 10-7 from a pawn shop about a month ago. It had big pachmayer grips on it so they took the serial number from the inside of the crane. You guessed it. It doesn't match the one on the butt of the gun.
What do I do now?

[Kharn]

I'd start by explaining the situation to your local cops and asking if they could run the serial number from the butt of the gun. You'll lose the gun if its been reported stolen, but better to lose it that way than to lose it during a traffic stop and end up in the pokey for a bit.

Kharn

[F4GIB]

The number on the crane IS NOT the serial number. It's usually a model number like 10-7 or some kind if factory part number. THE only serial number is on the butt of the grip. You've got no problem, use the serial number on the butt. If you don't believe me, e-mail S&W's customer service folks.

[Lone_Gunman]

F4GIB:

You are wrong about the serial numbers.

Some are only on the butt.

A lot are in both places.

[Mike Irwin]

Don't mess with your local cops.

Take it back to the shop that made the mistake. You may have to redo the paperwork, or perhaps the shop can ammend their paperwork. Who knows.

I believe that marking the serial number inside the crane cutout didn't start with the Model 10 until sometime in the late 1980s.

But, this is far from an uncommon thing with S&W revolvers.