Proofhouse.com has Colt sn tables. You can also call Colt and they will tell you.
When you open up the cylinder, it should be stamped on the inside of the crane.
open the cylinder, and it should be stamped there along with the serial number
Probably an assembly number.
The production year is not stamped on a gun. It is the serial number that is used to tell which batch was made in a particular year. Go to: proofhouse.com for listings.
It could be the benchmark of the gunsmith who assembled the revolver.
Type your answer here... Can you e-mail me at kdeeken@hotmail.com regarding the revolver?
Open the cylinder and look at the frame that is usually hidden by the crane. The serial number is stamped on the frame.
On an older revolver, you are not likely to find a model number, since they did not use model numbers. If you remove the grips, you should find the serial number stamped in the frame under the grips.
Could be the issued officer's initials and badge number.
Most F&Ws that HAD a serial number had it stamped on the butt- and stamped on the rear of the cylinder. LEGALLY, the one on the butt is the serial number. Many older guns did not have serial numbers, especially lower cost guns.
Open the Gatlin and look on the arm the holds the chambers on. It should be stamped right there. M ***
From what I've learned on the Internet, the number on the butt is a government inventory control number. The serial number is stamped on the frame of the revolver; look for it after swinging out the cylinder.