Ruger King cobra serial number

E

Etraveller

New member
Hello.

I'm looking at a king cobra, .357 Magnum.

On the inside sideplate are the digits K*7160,

On the inside of the crane/yoke are the the letter and numbers:
*7160
(the letter is represented by an asterisk) in both instances and which I 'edited' out of the photos.

The number that was on the frame was erased, and thus I cant determine what it was/is (see picture with yoke open).

I've seen another King cobra, and saw the serial number on the frame, inside the yoke/crane, on the yoke/crane and on the sideplate, and they were all the same.

The impression of the extra K on the gun's sideplate in the picture is consistent with the same type of marks of the other digits.

So the question is, has anyone come across a king cobra .357, where the serial number on the yoke/crane is one digit less than that on the inside of the frame?

In simpler terms, has anyone seen the serial number stamped on the frame (hypothetically),
= JM5120
and on the yoke = M5120.

And is that normal for some of these king cobras? (see pictures below).
Chng_Dscn1250.JPG

ChngDscn1245.JPG

Cng_Dscn1244.JPG
 
This is BAD news.
You are in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

This is a State and Federal FELONY CRIME. As in JAIL TIME for possession.

Here's another problem: You have no idea if the crane and side plate are original to that gun.
In other words, someone very possibly had a stolen gun, obliterated the serial number, then installed the crane and side plate from ANOTHER gun hoping people would think those were the original numbers.

Here's what you NEED to do, and DAMN fast.
Contact the local office of the ATF.
They will attempt to recover the original serial number, which is often possible with X-rays or other techniques.

If the number can be recovered and the gun is not stolen, or the number cannot be recovered, the ATF will assign a NEW serial number to the gun and will stamp it for you.

These new numbers are usually in the format: ATF-12345

In any event, SO LONG as you contact them, you're in no trouble. This happens, and the ATF won't hold you accountable.

So, if the gun's number can be recovered and it comes back clean, or the number can't be recovered, in which case they can't tell if it's stolen, you get to keep the gun.

If it's stolen and can be identified as such, you're out of luck.

Keep it and do nothing, and get caught with it, and you're looking right down the barrel at serious No BS jail time.
 
Hello folks,

Just to clear a few things up here...

1). I don't own nor am I in possession of the gun.

2). The relevant law enforcement authorities have been notified and they are in possesion of the firearm.

3). Thanks for the information.
 
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