Help with unusual S&W 4506

S

Sixgunz

Inactive
I found an unusual pistol in a shop. I have looked far and wide for something similar to compare it to, but to no avail.

It appears to be an all stainless Smith & Wesson 4506 with a hand engraved serial number, hand engraved model number, and a "45 Tactical" slide. It is my understanding that this slide was offered, but on a different model gun and never on a "4506."

There's nothing on the other side of the slide to indicate it was a police gun.

Is this a rare variant, a custom shop gun or a Frankenstein gun?

Sorry for no pics...I can't figure out how to upload them.
 
I'm not particularly knowledgeable on these, but it sounds like a Frankengun. Also, the "hand engraved" serial number makes me wonder if it's an Evidence Gun.
 
Spats McGee said:
...the "hand engraved" serial number makes me wonder if it's an Evidence Gun.
Click to expand...
Is it legal under federal law to apply a new serial number to a gun seized as evidence with the serial number defaced?

I thought that only the original manufacturer is allowed apply a serial number, including reapplying the original serial number to a new-made replacement frame. My understanding is that LE agencies generally destroy defaced crime guns because the process of having a serial number applied is not deemed worthwhile in most cases. However, I could be wrong, as I don't remember where I read this.
 
I have heard that some LE agencies engrave an evidence number on a firearm, but never have I actually seen this. I question whether it would actually be a "serial number."
 
Evidence numbers are not serial numbers.

There needs to be pics for anyone here to have an opinion.

You can always ask in the shop that was selling the gun. Remember the shop, whether pawn or gun, cannot log it into their books or buy or sell it legally without a serial number. So they can show you the serial number and you can take a few pics with a cell phone...if they allow it.

tipoc
 
Spats McGee said:
I have heard that some LE agencies engrave an evidence number on a firearm, but never have I actually seen this.
Click to expand...
I have; picture a big number scrawled on the frame with a pick, by someone who was either 4-6 years old or drunk. :rolleyes:
Spats McGee said:
I question whether it would actually be a "serial number."
Click to expand...
It's not (+1 tipoc).

To clarify my previous comments: I was assuming you were talking about restoring the serial number on a gun that has had it defaced. If there is a legal or ATF regulatory allowance allowing an LE agency to apply a serial number in order to auction a crime gun with a defaced one, I'm not aware of it.

I've read from authoritative sources that the original manufacturer or a gunsmith may reapply the serial number elsewhere on the gun if a modification such as a scope rail will cover it, or engrave/stamp the serial number deeper so that a refinish won't obscure it, but these are significantly different circumstances than restoring, reapplying, or adding a serial number to a crime gun with a defaced one. It's my understanding that only the original manufacturer can lawfully do that.

Of course, I won't discount the possibility that an LE agency did it anyway, quasi-legally. :rolleyes:
 
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