Why would Browning put the serial number on the grip??

old11bravo · Jun 26, 2016

It is easily one of the heaviest worn spots on a pistol. I'm stripping my Browning Hi-Power for a bluing job and the serial number located on the grip where your fingers wrap around is almost completely obliterated! They were pretty worn and not easy to see on this surplus Israeli Hi-Power already but now they are so faint that I'm concerned they may no longer be readable.

What does a guy do? Can anyone re-stamp the serial number into the grip for me? Is that legal? Is it legal to leave it as is? I would rather have an easily identifiable serial number located in it's original location, on the grip, but I'm not sure where to go or what to do now. I would like to resolve this before I apply the bluing.

Any suggestions or answers are greatly appreciated.

jbett98 · Jun 26, 2016

I would hard stamp a new serial number (exactly like the original) under the grip area and not touch the original serial number.

old11bravo · Jun 26, 2016

I really like this idea. Would that be sufficient in the eyes of Johny law? It kinda pisses me off that I'm even having this dilemma. What a poopy spot to put a serial number!

PaulB47 · Jun 26, 2016

Just stamp the same SN somewhere else and carry on. No need to have a fit over it. How likely are you to run into trouble with that serial number even as it is now? You'll get struck by lightning first.

jbett98 · Jun 26, 2016

There's a ton of articles written about just this issue. The best way would be to have the original manufacture of the pistol re-stamp it for you.
That doesn't seem very practical, so if it was mine I would cover the serial numbers with something that would protect them while media blasting or whatever method you are going to use to prep the gun.
The feds have ways to recover obliterated and, or altered serial numbers, so even if the process makes them unreadable, they're still there in side the metal.
Go to Harbor Freight and buy a metal stamp set and make a copy of the originals somewhere inconspicuous.

old11bravo · Jun 26, 2016

The strip work is already done. In fact I'm wondering if the bluing might actually make the serial number stand out better again once I apply it.

robertg · Jun 27, 2016

I had the same problem, but when the blueing was applied it did make it barely readable.
But looking at the picture yours looks a little worse than mine, hope it works out for ya.

Member 5605 · Jul 3, 2016

Don't cover, copy numbers elsewhere.

UserNameInUse · Jul 5, 2016

I've seen HiPowers with the serial number horizontally just above the top of the right grip. I think they were FN branded, not Browning, but I can't find an image of one right now. It might be good to try to duplicate that look so it still looks somewhat factory. If it were me I would take it to a trophy shop that has a good engraver.