serail number location

Question
Sid,

Thanks you so much. That was the only number I could locate on the gun.  I found this gun in a pawn shop.  This was so close to the gun that was stolen from my car in 1996.  I completed a police report in 1996. I have checked many times and they reported it hadn't been found.
I bought the gun yesterday and pulled my old box: I bought it in 1977.  The gun had the exact combat grip I had bought for it years ago. I puuled the grip box and the exact name, patent on the grips. These were special grips I had placed on the gun because the original wooden grips just didn't feel right.  
Today, I got my magnifying mirror, and the number is where you said it was.  However on the oginal box from 1977, list:
Model 138201 and list serial number 492901.  
My puzzle:  Sure looks like my old gun.  The 138 is very clear; however the last 3 digits looks like it has been stamped over to make 201 a different number.  What do I need to do?  




The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello,  I am looking at a charter arms undercover 38 special nickel handgun.  The model is 138201,  where is the serial number located?
-----Answer-----
Hi Joan,

The serial number should be located on the right side of the lower portion of the frame just to the rear of the cylinder. Are you sure that "model" that you provided is not actually the serial number?

Sid Lark

Answer
Joan,

I'm not 100% clear on this entire matter however, I want to help you if I can. I guess I'm not certain about what it is that you want to do or exactly what advise that you desire, but I'll give a try anyway.

If you believe (for whatever reason) that the gun that you have recovered from the pawn shop is the same one that was stolen from you, you should contact the law enforcement agency that you reported the original theft to.

They will help you confirm the recovery, and perhaps do a follow up investigation concerning the seller to the pawn shop etc. Also, they will want to remove the firearm from the NCIC data base assuming that it was entered in same.

As far as altered serial numbers, its not a difficult task for the crime lab/s to determine if that has taken place and/or also be able to determine the original factory stamped serial number of the gun.

If I have misunderstood your question or have not addressed your needs, please feel free to clarify and ask again. I'll do what ever I can to advise you.

Sid Lark