Manufacturer serial numbers and codes

[Balrog]

Why do manufacturers of firearms use date codes in serial numbers rather than dates? Seems like it would be a lot simpler on everyone if they used the actual date of manufacture rather than a code.

For example, use 1997-0001 to designate the first firearm made in 1997, rather than some alphanumeric code that you can look up but can never remember unless you look it up.

 

[labnoti]

Most of them use serial numbers which are more or less sequential and not related to the date of manufacture. We usually have to correlate serial numbers to dates by a table composed after the fact because serialization does not use a calendar. Furthermore, serialization is not always sequential and oftentimes manufacturers assign different blocks of numbers for different models, other times they use prefixes and suffixes. It is not uncommon that some blocks of serial numbers are reserved and the guns made at a later date, and other times guns can be stored in inventory and sold as new years later.

If manufacturers were to do something significantly different than what they do today it would probably be a change to one of the various forms of electronic ID like RuBee tags, but before we go there, we should probably reconsider the purposes for which we currently serialize one gun part like the receiver. There are legal reasons, there are warranty reasons, and there are other reasons. Frankly, everyone might be better off if we did it very differently.

 

[herrwalther]

Using a coded dating system gives customer service agents another question to answer on the phone.

 

[Deus Machina]

1) If they use date codes, they can change it with a revision. 'K' might be 1997, 'L' might be 1997 with a stronger firing pin and an adjusted channel to fit it. Save on '1997 before this number' and 'after this number'.
2) because the guys deciding to use them are behind a desk, not a lathe.

 

[jmr40]

For example, use 1997-0001 to designate the first firearm made in 1997, rather than some alphanumeric code that you can look up but can never remember unless you look it up.

It would have to be a lot more complex than that. Ruger manufacturers over 30 different long guns and handguns. There would have to be a code for each of those 30 models. And then there are sub models in each of those categories to.

Same with Glock, they started with the G17 and we are now up to the G48 with various sub models. For example there is a G17L, G17 MOS, G19X, and so on.

And even if you simplified the date code it doesn't necessarily help. It isn't unusual for receivers to be manufactured and stored for years before being assembled into firearms.

 

[armedwalleye]

It would have to be a lot more complex than that. Ruger manufacturers over 30 different long guns and handguns. There would have to be a code for each of those 30 models. And then there are sub models in each of those categories to.

Same with Glock, they started with the G17 and we are now up to the G48 with various sub models. For example there is a G17L, G17 MOS, G19X, and so on.

And even if you simplified the date code it doesn't necessarily help. It isn't unusual for receivers to be manufactured and stored for years before being assembled into firearms.

Further, with multiple different lines running simultaneously in different parts of the country, there would be absolutely no continuity in serials by product line is numbers were generated and assigned to each firearm sequentially.

Additionally, the idea of "perceived value" enters in. The line goes down due to a building fire, for example. Not that it matters to Ruger, but some folk would try to drive up the price of a 1911, for example, because there were fewer made in one year than the next, when there is mechanically no difference.

 

[FlSwampRat]

Having worked in a factory (not firearm) a long time ago I know that all sub assemblies were made separately, sometimes in different plants. They were then racked and stored for use on the assembly line. Some, already serialized, were put together and passed down to quality control (Where I worked). Anything flunking went back to be either adjusted or stripped down for reassembly. I don't know if it is the same for firearms, but I'm told by a friend who has toured the Fender and Gibson plants that it is the same for guitars. Since, unlike some European manufacturers, most makers don't serialize every part, just the frame, it doesn't have to get done on a finished weapon. So when is the gun manufactured. When the frame was made? When it was fully assembled? When it finally passed quality control? Serious time lapses could occur between any of those events.
I also know that you could once upon a time buy several different Colt guns with the same serial number. My first 6" blue Python had the same serial number as a 4" nickel Trouper that was reported stolen in Fa, if memory serves.
One other thing a gunsmith was telling me, before being forced to serialize the Topper shotguns they were produced with over two dozen different firing pins. No way to know which one the gun with the broken firing pin had if you didn't have all the pieces.
Kodak used a date code on their plastic cameras with a four letter code, first two month second two year.

 

[reddog81]

At least we have the internet and can look up stuff like that if we so desire. The date of manufacture is neat to know, but doesn't really matter unless you're trying to determine if something is C&R eligible or an antique.

 

[crestoncowboy]

HK stamps a 2 digit date code. Anyone else could as well. It is silly not to.