[Cluster Bomb]

I have been looking at several guns lately. Many seem like good deals. Untill i look further and find that some dont have matching #s

such as some S&W revolvers
of course some Mousins, yukos, etc
and astonishingly enough some unexpected ones like Ruger, and H&K

many are priced as used guns without thinking twice about non matching #s

am i just too picky? are ther real "dangers" of non matching #s on a gun? How badly should/would non matching #s affect a gun?

the gun dealer didnt have any info on the reasons of the missmatched #s asideds from surplus firearms that is to be expected in many of those.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'm not sure what you mean. The serial number stamped on the gun doesn't match what exactly? The paperwork for the gun?

[Hunterdad]

If I plan on shooting it, I could care less about matching numbers. As long as it functions like it should, it shouldn't be an issue.

[Cluster Bomb]

like Colt revolver and a ruger 22 mag My dad was looking at. The Colt had the serial #, and the cylinder part had different #. The gun shop ownere said it was because that part was replaced for what ever reason.

the ruger 22 mag was a miss match nightmare.

he also had a yugo but i dont remeber a single part the was #'rd matched.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Ahh I gotcha. I wouldn't really care as long as it worked right. People replace things. As long as it's the right part and is safe, it doesn't really matter to me.

[AirForceShooter]

Any gun I buy I shoot.
If the numbers didn't match I wouldn't care.
If they do match I don't care, and I'm not paying extra because they do.

You want more because the numbers match? I'll simply pass on it.

AFS

[Carl N. Brown]

For a collector's item all matching numbers are critical to value.

However, if a mix master was fitted and checked by a competent armorer, it may actually be a safer, more reliable and more accurate shooter than the all-matching gun.

[rcmodel]

the ruger 22 mag was a miss match nightmareI am not aware of Ruger ever putting serial numbers on anything except the frame in one place.

A Colt or S&W with a replaced cylinder would be highly suspect unless it checked out perfectly for lock-up, timing, etc.
Even then, I would not pay as much for it as I would for one with matching numbers in the same condition.

rc

[BHP FAN]

I like matching numbers....and if I have pairs, I like consecutive numbers.

[AlexanderA]

Matching numbers are important on some guns, and not so much on others. For example, a German MG-34 machine gun would have been hand-assembled, and so, matching numbers would not only increase collector value, but could also affect functionality. On the other hand, an "artillery" Colt SA .45 would be expected to have mixed numbers, since these were all arsenal rebuilds from disassembled cavalry models. Thank goodness most U.S. military weapons were not serial numbered on any parts other than the receivers. If more parts are serial numbered (such as on Lugers), it's an indication of hand and/or selective fitting during manufacture.

I might add that numbers on gun parts are not necessarily serial numbers. Some are "drawing numbers" (to identify the part as per the mechinist's drawing), and some are "assembly numbers" to make sure the appropriate parts stay together during the assembly process. So, for example, if you see a different number on a revolver cylinder than on the frame (particularly if the number of digits is different), don't assume that it's mismatched.

[Dr.Rob]

If you are buying a Luger or a pre-war Colt it Certainly does. A force numbered Russian Capture 98 made out of a parts pile might shoot just fine, but the market shows an all matching 98 can bringa pretty penny to what was once a $20 rifle.

[BaltimoreBoy]

I'm not a 'collector' so I don't care. If I were, I suppose I would.

BTW:Not to pick nits, but that should be "affect" the price.

The 'green house effect' affects the temperature inside a greenhouse.

[Deus Machina]

It affects the price a little for me, but not much.

If I buy it because it's prettier than the one beside it, it will change that.

If I buy it because they all have beat-up stocks but this one has a shinier bore than the one next to it, matching numbers are nice, but I don't really care all that much.

[mmitch]

Yes, they does.

Mike

[wally]

If I'm buying it because I really want to shoot it, doesn't matter, if its strictly for the collection then in matters a lot.

[mdauben]

I really don't care, as I don't buy guns to collect them, I buy guns to shoot them.

On the other hand, if the gun had any collector’s value (like an older Smith & Wesson) I would expect a gun with non-matching #'s to be priced less than a more "desirable" matching gun.

[crazy-mp]

Matching serial number on a Mosin? Not likely unless it is force matched, or was a really late build that was not issued.

I have a S&W .38 revolver that is stamped U.S. NAVY, every number matches on it except the side plate, S&W got the side plates screwed up when they were sent back in to have hammer safeties put on. Even the grips match. But the odds of me finding another NAVY S&W are not too great.

It depends on how bad you want it, how rare it is and how common are matching serial numbers. Look at M1 Garands, more of them have been "put" together correctly than ever left the military. But there were several arsenal rebuilds while the military was fielding the M1 so it may or may not be a huge deal to have a Winchester reciever, H&R trigger group, Marlin Barrel, Springfield sights and a IHC operating rod.

[B!ngo]

I don't buy guns to collect them, but I have purchased a few that are higher priced and may have substantial resale value should I ever choose to part with them. So for those, I expect them to have matched s/n's and expect to pay less if they don't. For more standard pieces, I don't care, but I'd rather pay less if I find that they don't have matched s/n's.
And I've never bought a new gun and likely never will. Like cars, if there is initial depreciation to be lost, I'll let someone else pay it.
B

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

The only reason I care is because, I dont want to pay more then the market demands. I just bought a RC Mauser, and I would not have paid the same money as a matching K98.... that would be like something you would see on American Guns.

[paintballdude902]

depends on the gun. for milsurps i agree that it should effect the price a bit. but a newer gun that doesnt have matching numbers is an issue for me

[oldbear]

Non-matching serial numbers, with the exception of grips on Smith and Wesson’s, are an indication that some serious work and been done to a gun, so I would want to know why the work was done and who performed the work.
On the other hand, as I’m an owner/shooter matching serial numbers are nice but not a necessity to me.

[Ghost Tracker]

Parts-bin guns & repaired guns don't have or hold the same value as NIB (New in Box) guns. Just like worn, rusty guns don't have or hold the same value as 95% guns. So, of course, it matters to me. It matters what I am willing to pay/take for it. It matters if I'm gonna' shoot it regularly or never cock the hammer. It matters to me because it once mattered to the manufacturer, or they wouldn't have gone to the time & expense...to put it ON there!

[zucchi]

Depends on why I want a specific gun. If I simply want a shooter I'll be taking to the range then matching serial numbers don't matter to me in the least. For instance, a matching #s Luger usually easily start at well over $1000.00. I picked up a mis-mashed Luger for under $300.00 and it's fun to shoot. On the other hand, if I want a collectable gun, I tend to look at those more as investments and not take to the range. Those are considered more valuable if they have matching #s.

Modern era mass produced guns made from parts are just as durable and work just as well as guns with matching #s.

[Carl N. Brown]

In the 1950s I was told that mismatched serial numbers was a sign of a gun assembled from parts that would have headspacing problems.

In an arsenal rebuild, where the armorer does headspacing etc., there is no attempt to match serial numbers of parts.

[InkEd]

Personally, I am not really big into surplus guns BUT matching serial numbers SHOULD increase the value of a collectible firearm over one without matching serial numbers IF the condition is about the SAME.

I've seen some people that feel any rusty gun with matching numbers is worth more than a functional re-arsenal model. This is not the case for me.

For example, I would much rather have a mismatched 85% rifle than a matched 70% rifle. I guess it's because I would rather have the gun be in better functional order and aesthetically pleasing than historically perfect.

The way I feel about it, there are firearm museums that own nice condition samples of most historic guns. They will preserve the legacy of the gun and have ones to show people. I simply buy guns for my personal interest and use.

Even if I was a wealthy person and wanted a massive gun collection, I would probably do it more like Jay Leno's car collection. I would own nice models (some restored and some original) and actually use them. IMHO one of the biggest enjoyments of firearms is shooting them.

[Zach S]

All of my guns are shooters. I really don't care what has been replaced as long as it shoots and does it well.

[dannyr3_8]

but i know it matters to collectors so its something i usually check

[jcwit]

Absolutly! Same as the difference between a diamond and a chunk of paste.

[Cosmoline]

Matching numbers are important on some guns, and not so much on others.

Exactly. It can be important for something like a collector-grade Mauser of rare subtype, but it would be of little or no importance for a Finnish Mosin.

[Wanderling]

Would a mis-matched serial number on frame vs slide of a CCW gun be an issue in case of a police stop ? What number is considered the "master" serial ? E.g. I have a Glock and there's a number on the slide, a number on the barrel, and a number on the frame. If I ever had to have the frame swapped, I'd end up with a mismatch.

[303tom]

Will not effect the purchase, will effect the price I am willing to pay......

[Ky Larry]

Are we sure were talking about serial #'s and not assembly #'s? Some manufacturers use assembly #'s to keep all the parts for one gun together.

[Ghost Tracker]

use assembly #'s to keep all the parts for one gun together.Well sure, 'cause some parts are FITTED at assembly & so another (random) part might not function, but that's often all or part of the serial number. It makes all the thousands of guns & parts around a gun building (or repair) facility easier to track. Like my wife's Social Security number being tattooed to my..., uh, (never mind).