Refinish - covering s/n?

[Rex B]

I have a Llama Minimax 45 project gun. In the process of rebuilding it, I wish to use Gun-Kote or similar coatings on the frame and slide. On these guns, the serial number is etched into the side of the frame above the trigger guard. It's barely visible in good light. If I apply a coating, it will not be visible. What can I do about that? If I mask it off, I don't think I will get the appearance I seek.
2nd, the slide is a bit thick on the sides, and has a sharp transition into the rounded slide top. It has the model name stamped into it. I want to mill the flats down a small amount to blend the side flat into the top for a smooth transition. this will lighten the slide slightly, and probably remove the model name. Any issues with that, legal or otherwise?

 

[rcmodel]

It's a Federal no-no to remove or deface either the serial number or make & model.

Can you perhaps re-stamp them?
(Not even sure if that's even legal or not, but probably isn't?)

Lightening the slide by any appreciable amount isn't a good idea either.
It not only affects lock-up timing, but those humps & bumps may have been added to add strength where they found out it was needed.

This gun sounds like a good candidate for a nice, carefully hand polished, hot-blue job!

rcmodel

 

[Rex B]

Probably not

I am pretty sure re-stamping is not legal. I had considered that - duplicating the S/N with hand stamps on the opposite side. I have no confidence that I could make that look decent. I may have to mask it.

There aren't any bumps, it's just flat, but the panel is raised a small amount so there is an edge at the transition point. I had considered the timing issue.

I like bluing, but I'm not sure this gun is a good candidate. It's a CCW gun, and I want to try it in black over olive.

 

[moosehunt]

Whatever you do, don't remove the serial number! If you carefully re-stamp the original serial number exactly where it is, you are in a grey area, but if carefully done, no one will ever know but you.

 

[brickeyee]

If you carefully re-stamp the original serial number exactly where it is, you are in a grey area, but if carefully done, no one will ever know but you.

Except maybe a BATFE or FBI lab guy who may know that the manufacturer etched them in ...

 

[Rex B]

At most I'd be painting over the existing letters, not removing them, although that point may be moot. I think I am going try masking it, though it won't look as good if I have to do that.

Perhaps I should just write the BATFE

 

[1 old 0311]

I had a old Colt .25 that I had refinished. The Gunsmith just restamped the #'s.

 

[highorder]

unless you really slather the coating on, the faint serial # will still be visible.