1armybrat Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 I have put in my best effort into makeing these #s out to no avail.I understand that it has historic importance and it saddens me that the #'s may remain unknown.Maybe some one has a better eye.I looked at this all weekend enhancing the images on the computer.Based on other colt examples I know that the numbers used where basic in font.The number one is a simple straight vertical line. The rest are 234567890.The guy with the roman numeral stamp X put a lot of effort into his work.I believe the last digit is a 1 the next is a 4 and then and 8 moving right to left and then maybe a 3.3841 . But the spacing confuses me on the 4 and 1.Feel free to take a crack at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1armybrat Posted November 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 For clarity, the Last unblemished #s 4672 where added to match the Bridgeport upper .I am assuming at the same time the colt numbers were abused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952HRA Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 (edited) I see the original serial number as 384, I don't think there is a 1 at the end of it, the original serial number was hand stamped so the distance between numbers varies Edited November 13, 2017 by 1952HRA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougStump Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Give this a try. First clean the area with denatured alcohol and an old toothbrush, scrub it. Light a wax candle, hold the frame over the candle and play the very top of the flame over the markings. This will soot up the markings. Use a piece of good quality transparent tape (Scotch) and carefully stick it over the markings. The tape won't stick to the sooted area, don't let it slide. Peel the tape off and stick it to a white card. If you mess up just start over. I learned this from an old silversmith to extract faint markings. Sometimes it will find marks that you didn't know we're there. In this case, it might reveal parts of the numbers. Much easier than trying to get the lighting just right to take a photo. If it's stupid, but it works, it's not stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Good trick! I read it as S-?6?84There might be more digits after the S- and before the 6. I think it is a Savage lower with Colt internals... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Good trick! I read it as S-?6?84There might be more digits after the S- and before the 6. I think it is a Savage lower with Colt internals...All Savage trigger frames have the S right after the NO. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzz Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Looks like an S - ????? Surely we can tell from the rest of the engraving on the sides if it's a Colt or not. Were colts and savages selector levers engraved identically? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RChapman Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 (edited) Looks like an S - ????? Surely we can tell from the rest of the engraving on the sides if it's a Colt or not. Were colts and savages selector levers engraved identically? Nope, Colt levers have the diamonds out, while Savage have the diamonds in, its easy to understand from the picture. Its funny how each producer has left its own signature on the TSMG I would like to try to reproduce these items (colt levers) anyone have an idea of how were they engraved back in the days? Edited November 13, 2017 by RChapman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzz Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 I meant the lever markings on the lower. SAFE / FIRE Surely they different from colt to savage to AOC why try to dope out the serial number if the markings show it to be a savage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Assume the SN is 384, a forum member listed in Gordon's book has SN 385. He may could take a photo of his lower to compare the markings (if he still has it). in the interim, compare to 3148. Used to be mine (now someone else's). Don't know how much the font changed out over the time span, but mine does has some of the same numbers if that helps with a comparison to better id the sn on this gun. Marking on the side of 3148 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted November 14, 2017 Report Share Posted November 14, 2017 Comparing Sandmans side picture to my Savage and a AOC trigger frame, I see that all the words FIRE and SAFE on Savage frames are further from the arrow points than on the Colt pictured. On the AOC they are closer, but the arrow is different. If 1armybrat could post some good side pictures that could help settle things. All other things considered I'm sure he has a Colt trigger frame. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadycon Posted November 14, 2017 Report Share Posted November 14, 2017 I think the 1st # is 8?384.................................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1armybrat Posted November 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2017 Pretty sure these are colt numbers we are trying to cipher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted November 14, 2017 Report Share Posted November 14, 2017 He has a Colt lower.It is a parts Thompson.Or does everybody think it is number 15041 that slipped through the crack's.so he will have a nice shooter when done. nothing less and nothing more. Or he can decide to keep the Colt Lower and get a correct 28 lower remark to the reg. number a refinish and be done with it. This will not magically over night be something else no matter what anyone will post about it. And I am sure he got it at a good priced deal for what it is.Colt21A Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurencen Posted November 14, 2017 Report Share Posted November 14, 2017 why the large gap between the lower and upper, or possible the upper not fully slid on, seems odd there are scratch markings on the lower where the edge of the upper finishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1armybrat Posted November 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Doug the soot trick is low tech and very effect. Just the way I like it.I will pass this on to my other collector buddies.Nothing new appeared other then my opinion that the fellow re-striking numbers put his first 4 to close to the colt numbers and xed out his own 4.The last digit Xed is a 4 that looks identical two the re-struck 4 and not like a colt 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 I'm seeing 384, but I'm no professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 Its easier for you to compare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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