Serial numbers: what do you do with them?
- Thread starter TXAZ
- Start date
I keep a spreadsheet inventory of my firearms. The information includes serial number, date of acquisition, purchase price and any other data that I think might be of interest. Number of malfunctions--which ammo was being used, rounds since last cleaning, rounds since last detail strip, number of mags, etc.
Occasionally I print it and put the printout in a safe deposit box.
Occasionally I print it and put the printout in a safe deposit box.
2ndsojourn
New member
I keep a spreadsheet with description, caliber, serial number, date of purchase, manufacture date, amount paid.
kilimanjaro
New member
Excel spreadsheet.
Also a disk with digital pictures of each.
Put it all on a thumbdrive and save it somewhere. A good buddy of mine and I swap thumbdrives with our inventories, we exchange a sealed envelope containing the drive about twice a year. We don't trust the cloud for personal information. Just need two drives apiece, and a stack of envelopes. If our houses burn down, we'll have the data.
Also a disk with digital pictures of each.
Put it all on a thumbdrive and save it somewhere. A good buddy of mine and I swap thumbdrives with our inventories, we exchange a sealed envelope containing the drive about twice a year. We don't trust the cloud for personal information. Just need two drives apiece, and a stack of envelopes. If our houses burn down, we'll have the data.
There is a U.S. Department of Justice Form you can use if you have 9 firearms or less. I guess you could use several of them. The form number is P3312.8 (Revised August 2013). It has the following columns:
Manufacturer/Importer
Model
Serial Number
Type
Caliber/Gauge
Date Acquired
Cost
Purchase Location (Name and Address)
Sold/transferred to: (Name, Address & Date)
I keep mine on my computer and print out a copy to have with me when I travel or in case of a computer crash/problem. It is not a spread sheet but rather in a word processing form with a paragraph for each firearm. I include the following data in each paragraph:
Manufacturer Name
Model
Caliber/Gauge
Serial Number
Price Paid
Where Purchased
Purchase Date
General Information such as condition, provenance, miscellaneous information such as aftermarket components (scope etc), Date or manufacture, warranty information and other known data.
Current Estimated Market Value
Manufacturer/Importer
Model
Serial Number
Type
Caliber/Gauge
Date Acquired
Cost
Purchase Location (Name and Address)
Sold/transferred to: (Name, Address & Date)
I keep mine on my computer and print out a copy to have with me when I travel or in case of a computer crash/problem. It is not a spread sheet but rather in a word processing form with a paragraph for each firearm. I include the following data in each paragraph:
Manufacturer Name
Model
Caliber/Gauge
Serial Number
Price Paid
Where Purchased
Purchase Date
General Information such as condition, provenance, miscellaneous information such as aftermarket components (scope etc), Date or manufacture, warranty information and other known data.
Current Estimated Market Value
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I have a Word document with description, caliber, serial number, condition, and estimated value (essentially the same information that is on the insurance policy covering my guns).
I keeps the list on my computer, on my backup drive, and have printed copies in several files and also in my gun safes.
I keeps the list on my computer, on my backup drive, and have printed copies in several files and also in my gun safes.
FrankenMauser
New member
I lost my most recent copy with the death of my laptop (thanks, Microsoft, for releasing untested software 
).
But, usually, I have a spreadsheet fully up-to-date on firearms, optics, magazines, cases, and other accessories (like firearm-specific tools, slings, holsters, speed loaders, extra parts, etc).
I also keep photographs of each firearm that I care about (Taurus, Cobra, etc. is not worthy
). Left, right, serial number from about 24", serial number close-up, distinguishing features, and anything else that's important to document, should I have to file an insurance claim or police report.
In addition, I try to keep an updated serial number list in one (or both) of my brothers' safes. That way, if I lose everything, there's still a list to be found (such as if there was a long, slow burning house fire, or a burglary that included my safes).
It has been a few years since one of them got an updated copy, though. Half of what I own has changed since then.
When I dig up an old backup copy of the spreadsheet and get it updated (it should be on a DVD and an external hard drive), I'm going to go with an online backup, as well.
The anti-virus company that I use offers 256-bit encrypted storage, and I'll save a copy there. ....No, I don't have fears of hackers or the government getting their hands on it and finding a way to use it against me.
).But, usually, I have a spreadsheet fully up-to-date on firearms, optics, magazines, cases, and other accessories (like firearm-specific tools, slings, holsters, speed loaders, extra parts, etc).
I also keep photographs of each firearm that I care about (Taurus, Cobra, etc. is not worthy
). Left, right, serial number from about 24", serial number close-up, distinguishing features, and anything else that's important to document, should I have to file an insurance claim or police report.In addition, I try to keep an updated serial number list in one (or both) of my brothers' safes. That way, if I lose everything, there's still a list to be found (such as if there was a long, slow burning house fire, or a burglary that included my safes).
It has been a few years since one of them got an updated copy, though. Half of what I own has changed since then.
When I dig up an old backup copy of the spreadsheet and get it updated (it should be on a DVD and an external hard drive), I'm going to go with an online backup, as well.
The anti-virus company that I use offers 256-bit encrypted storage, and I'll save a copy there. ....No, I don't have fears of hackers or the government getting their hands on it and finding a way to use it against me.
That is why I say to Email to yourself. That is the easiest way to access this information anywhere, any time. Also keep hard copies. But, its the easiest way to get the information, whether you're sitting in a squad car, insurance agent office, at work or at an airport 1000 miles away.
My ex reported me, out of spite, for having stolen firearms. She was bitter and was trying to cause trouble. It was quick and easy to pull up the emails, show the officer and clear it up. The emails also have dates to prove a time period of possession as well.
I know that y'all are thinking of theft, but courts are full of the falsely accused as well.
My ex reported me, out of spite, for having stolen firearms. She was bitter and was trying to cause trouble. It was quick and easy to pull up the emails, show the officer and clear it up. The emails also have dates to prove a time period of possession as well.
I know that y'all are thinking of theft, but courts are full of the falsely accused as well.
FrankenMauser
New member
My primary email account gets hacked, on average, every 4-5 years. (Most people get compromised more often, but don't realize it. Over 432 million US-based accounts were hacked in 2013.)
There's more than enough information there for anyone to put a serious hurting on me.
The last thing I need is for them to find a list of firearms and serial numbers, in combination with all of that other information.
At least with the encrypted storage option, they'd have to crack an additional password, then a security phrase (due to the unapproved access point), and then be using a computer with that company's software install, before randomly open the files in the 'safe box' until they figured out what the gibberish file name really contained.
With more secure email, I'd consider it. But it won't happen with my current setup.
I've never been hacked.
But my social media; Facebook and stuff is actually the inverse of my real life.
Hipster liberal that doesn't care for guns. I share a lot of recipes.
I found that being a staunch conservative that supports the constitution gets you followed around town, if you post it on social media.
I post here, but has never been an issue. My email is so full, that no one would be able to sort thru it.
In 2002 I was burglarized to the point that almost no item was left in my house, I was gone on vacation. The crooks spent the entire time "moving" me out of my own house. Even the documents were gone.
I found out, that if you have no serial numbers, the police will not return items even if they find them.
You're way is probably better, but I'd leave no documentation on the same premises. Secure online storage that you can access from anywhere would be ideal.
But my social media; Facebook and stuff is actually the inverse of my real life.
Hipster liberal that doesn't care for guns. I share a lot of recipes.
I found that being a staunch conservative that supports the constitution gets you followed around town, if you post it on social media.
I post here, but has never been an issue. My email is so full, that no one would be able to sort thru it.
In 2002 I was burglarized to the point that almost no item was left in my house, I was gone on vacation. The crooks spent the entire time "moving" me out of my own house. Even the documents were gone.
I found out, that if you have no serial numbers, the police will not return items even if they find them.
You're way is probably better, but I'd leave no documentation on the same premises. Secure online storage that you can access from anywhere would be ideal.
berettaprofessor
New member
In my opinion, this is the sole usefulness of "The Cloud". Or of applications like "Dropbox".
berettaprofessor
New member
Great thinking, Rickyrick; Camouflage!
The Few The Proud
New member
Log book
I have a personal log book of my personal firearms. I ordered it from Amazon. It allows me to enter up to 75 weapons and I can attach photos and a lot of descriptive information about the firearm and the purchase.
I have a personal log book of my personal firearms. I ordered it from Amazon. It allows me to enter up to 75 weapons and I can attach photos and a lot of descriptive information about the firearm and the purchase.