You find a web site or book(s) with sn data for the weapon you have and look it up.
You find a published list of serial numbers for the maker.
Usually not possible. More than one gun can have the same serial number.
Try Proofhouse.com
Look up the serial number.
first you would have to know gun maker: colt, remington, springfield then model or type (rifle, carbine, pistol) then caliber and last, serial number. next, look up forums on internet for that gun maker and go from there............
You find a book with serial number information and look it up. You find a book with serial number information and look it up.
Look on the butt or the frame.
1 - find serial number on weapon 2- find book with serial number data for weapon you have.
IF YOU CAN REMOVE THE HANDLE THE SERIAL NUMBER SHOULD BE THERE. YOU CAN TAKE THE GUN TO YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE THE GUN REGISTERED OR SEE IF THEY HAVE A PROGRAM WERE THEY BUY THE GUN.
Get the serial number Get a book on the comapany that has Serial Number data or a book that has serial number data, i.e., Blue Book of Gun Values.
You will need to call Colt
If data has been published, you look it up.