As firearms are usually numbered in sequence 12472 can be almost any firearm from the Brown Bess Musket to the most modern weapon. Simply put there is a 12472 in every mark of firearm manufactured in production for the last 300 years. More simply put one cannot identify a firearm from a serial number.
Yes it is illegal to own a gun that does not have a serial number. It is also illegal to remove the serial number off a gun.
With just the serial number, nothing.
It would be almost impossible to identify a gun just by its serial number.
Just by the serial number, no.
Impossible to answer. A serial number is not unique to only one gun in the world.
Impossible to date a gun with just the serial number and no other informaiton.
The serial number is on the frame.
Gun Registration...
You find a published list of serial numbers for the maker.
Winchester serial numbers were unique to the model of the gun,The only thing the serial number tells you about the gun is it's age.The serial number you've listed was from a gun made in 1974.
Usually not possible. More than one gun can have the same serial number.
No information can be provided with just a serial number.