how do i get serial #s

[TippyToes]

I recently had my house broke into and amongst other things a couple of my rifles were stolen, Ruger 10/22 and Winchester shotgun . I bought these in Washington state from a gun store that is now out of business is there anyway to get the serial numbers since I didn't write them down? I would love to get these guns back but i know without the serial numbers the chances are even less likely. Thanks.

 

[Trebor]

I think you are SOL. If the store is out of business the records went to the ATF. Thing is, they are still paper records and I very much doubt the ATF is going to hunt them down for you just to get serial numbers.

Other then that, I can't think of anyone else who'd have the serial numbers, other then you.

 

[kingpin008]

Yup. If you don't have a record of them and the shop is closed, you're outta luck.

Sucks, but it's a good lesson. Write down the serials of all your important/expensive goods, and keep them somewhere safe along with pictures or a description of the items.

 

[CoRoMo]

I think a couple local stores, that have sold me a few rifles, wrote the serial number(s) on the sales receipt(s). I'll have to check to be sure. If you still have the receipts, there's that slim chance that the store you mentioned might have done that.

Welcome to THR. Wish you could have joined under other circumstances.

 

[kanook]

Welcome to THR

sorry about your loss. Have you had any work done to those firearms? If you did look for those receipts.

 

[rcmodel]

If you failed to keep a record of the guns serial numbers or store sales receipts, you are very likely SOL. Unless the cops catch the thief and beat a confession out of him so they know who he stole the guns from.

But more then likely, they are long gone now for a little drug money that is also long gone now.

Chalk it up to an expensive lessen learned the hard way.

Next time, keep the sales receipts in one location, and record the serial numbers in another location.

I keep all of mine for the last 40+ years in a loose-lief book, and also on a computer data base.

rc

 

[John Wayne]

Well, if it makes you feel any better the first thing the crooks probably did was to scratch the serial number off anyway...

 

[heeler]

TT I feel your pain as this has happened to me as well.
I keep a record of my serial numbers in the safe and another copy in a certain dull book that no one on earth would care to read or want and it is placed with numerous other books on a multi shelf book case.
Fwiw I have never gotten any of my stolen firearms back nor do I personally know anyone who has ever gotten their stolen ones back.

 

[Old Fuff]

Once upon a time I was approached by two individuals. One was obviously a police officer, and the other a total scumbag. Scumbag had a Winchester 30-30 with him,

The officer explained that scumbag was working undercover, and had snuck the 30-30 out of a residence occupied by a number of others who were clearly not upstanding citizens. They were sure the gun was stolen, but it hadn’t turned up on any of the databases they’d checked. Time was short and they had to get the rifle back before it was missed. Could I help?

Playing a long shot I got a screwdriver and removed the butt plate. Under it I found a business card. They copied down the information on the card, and I replaced it and put the plate back on. Both gentlemen thanked me for the help – which was really a stroke of good luck.

Turned out the owner was a once-a-year deer hunter, who didn’t realize his gun was gone. The scumbags (less one) were busted about a week later.

Tracking a serial number is one way to identify a gun, but it is far from the only way…

 

[leadcounsel]

Aren't the forms turned over to the ATF when a FFL closes? Maybe a good lead.

 

[TNboy]

One of those deals where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Personally I have a list of all of my serial numbers saved in a safe location in my house and a duplicate copy at my parents house in case something were to happen to my copy. I've also thought about just E-mailing the list to myself. I think that it would be pretty hard for anyone to do anything with the #s in an E-mail.

 

[wishin]

Based on my personal experience with guns stolen from my house, even if you had the serial numbers, the chances of getting them back are not too good. However, at least there'd be some chance.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Yeah, they are, and maybe a Freedom Of Information act might get said person access to the records, BUT remember people that there is a federal amendment that prohibits the ATF from making a database of firearm transactions....

Best bet is to look at pictures and attempt to get the best description, possibly a SN from the pic, and give it to the cops, then keep an eye out for lost property notices filed by your local PD and take the time to go down and see if any of your property was recovered. Good luck claiming it.