WW2 SA receiver photo

[Johnny P]

Agree with what you are saying but that 89 appears to be floating higher than the rest.

That happens because the serial number is put on with a die that rotates one serial number for each strike, much like an odometer on a car, and they aren't necessarily exactly aligned like the nomenclature die which is fixed.

The same example on a WW2 era Colt 1911A1. The UNITED STATES PROPERTY and M 1911A1 U.S. ARMY were put on with roll dies which will be in perfectly alignment as the die is fixed, where the serial number was put on with the same type of machine as the M1 Rifle shown above where the numbers rotate. The 0 was a little low, and the 3 a little high.

[Allen]

The UNITED STATES PROPERTY and M 1911A1 U.S. ARMY were put on with roll dies which will be in perfectly alignment as the die is fixed, where the serial number was put on with the same type of machine as the M1 Rifle shown above where the numbers rotate.

I knew about the roll dies. A local pawn/gun shop sold a set a few years ago. I don't remember who the manf was nor the wording but I think it was USGI. They auctioned it off on GB starting with $20. I put it on my watch list and forgot about it figuring it would sell for quite a bit. I found out later it sold for the starting price. Wish now I had bought it even though I have no use for it, just nice to have.

[RCS]

early Winchester rifle serial numbers

Alot of early Winchester serial numbers had the first number one of the serial out of alignment.

My photo shows a three digit serial number from Jan 1941dscn0096_0017.jpgdscn0103_0018.jpg