Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

During my tour in Germany some years ago, I was looking at a Sig P220 at the Rod & Gun club at one of the Air Force bases there. The guy told me he had three of them consecutively numbered, and explained to me that people liked to buy consecutively numbered pieces to keep among family or friends. Long story about why and how, but I ended up with all three.

A few months later, my wife and I are having lunch at another Rod & Gun club, and we stop by the gun counter there. They had two consecutively numbered two-tone P229s in .357 Sig. The wife thought they were pretty, and suggested I buy both (you don't have to tell me twice!)

So, I've heard comments like, "Don't shoot them, keep them NIB and 'someone' will pay big bucks for them one day." Lots of them, in fact.

But, I haven't seen many consecutively numbered pieces offered around the various outlets (GunBroker, etc.), and I've never heard of anyone wishing to find a couple of consectutively numbered pieces so badly they'd be willing to pay a premium for it.

So, I was wondering if anyone here has heard of this. More accurately, I'm wondering if there's any truth to consecutively numbered pieces having some "numismatic" value, or is it just a bunch of hooey? Not looking to sell anything, it's just one of those questions that's been bugging me for a while....

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

I know that consecutive numbered guns are popular with cowboy guns and Colts in particular. Ruger even sells some of its single action revolvers in consecutive numbered sets. I would think this is because a lot of shooters buy these types of guns in pairs.

I have had other guns numbered consecutively, and have been told that most of the time it will not add much value, unless they are collectable.

On a side note - after having just purchased three Sigs, and then being told that you should buy another pair - well, your wife sure is a keeper. I always seem to have to sneak my guns!

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

I love the .357 sig round. I would love to have a Sig. in that cal.

I have seen various fire arms with consecutive numbers offered over the years, the only place I have ever seen it bring any real premium is at auctions of SERIOUS collectibles. Like General Grants matching set of Schoefield pistols or something like that.

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Had a chance to pick up a pair of VoPo lugers with consecutive numbers but it just smelled too bad. A VoPo that matches is rare enough but two? Consecutive? That and they were *way* over priced. Pass.

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I have seen matched pairs for sale over the years. I was never compelled to buy them. Especially for a premium price. If I wanted 2 of something, I might buy, but wouldn't pay extra for consecutive numbers.

Do the pistols individually have collector value? No. Having a pair made consecutively adds nothing to the value, especially if you intend to shoot them, IMO. And I don't own anything that I won't shoot...

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

True enough. But that novelty has worn off, and I've since crossed the "you have enough guns" threshhold. So I've got to sneak mine in, too. She eventually finds the box, so my latest tactic is that I tell her the new boxes only have "replacement parts" for the guns I already have....

Now that sounds impressive. I like the MNs - I think it's neat these guns are still around and kicking after all these years. Good find, TA!

That's one of the reasons I got them. Just a thought, but the Sig P-229 in .40 S&W and the Sig P-229 in .357 Sig are identical except for the barrels. Buy one in either caliber, and you can get a barrel in the other for less than $200, and you're ready to go. One gun, two calibers. Same mags and everything.

Pretty much what I was thinking. The P-220s are marked "Made in West Germany," which I think is a pretty cool historical footnote, especially given my former line of work. But they don't have the rails for pimping them out with lights and whatever that everyone likes nowadays - they're probably worth less than what I paid for them in that respect.

In short, they're probably worth more to me than they are to anyone else. And while I don't plan on making them range queens, I'd have no qualms about shooting them. I like Sigs, and I see no harm in having a couple "extra" laying around....

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

I've only ever seen this in high dollar shotguns. Purdey, Boss, etc.
Eric Clapton is a shotgun collector and was selling some matched pairs a while back.

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

Matched pairs or consecutive serial numbers add value in certain cases:

1) pairs of collectible guns, like Colt Model P revolvers, Winchester lever actions, S&W Registered Magnums, or Colt 1911 pistols.

2) High-end shotguns, like H&H, Purdey, and Boss.

3) Very low serial number pairs or trios of very successful guns, like Ruger Standard pistols, S&W Hand Ejectors, wtx.

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

I've owned numerous consequtive numbered firearms.

Unless it's something historically significant - like a sequentially numbered pair of Russian .44's given to the Tsar by Smith & Wesson - there is no additional value I'm aware of JUST for sequential numbers.

But normally I just have to wait while a set of sequentially numbered firearms comes up. Patience is a virture.

Having sold a couple of pairs, I find that having two of them sequentially numbered does NOT add anything to their value (see caveat above).

But there is a definite 'cool factor' about owning two (or three) firearms with the serial numbers being consequtive.

I recently took delivery of three new Glock G22 RTF2's that are sequentially numbered. They end with 00, 01 and 02, which I THOUGHT was pretty kewl. I didn't pay any extra for them. But I did wait an extra six weeks for one of my wholesalers to get a shipment in that was big enough to allow them to do a 'hand select'. I even offered to PAY for the hand select and they said no charge.

OH, Glock G22 IS in .40 S&W, swap out the barrel and drop in the .357 sig barrel and you can use the .40 mags. Pull THAT barrel out and drop in the 9mm barrel (Storm makes some nices ones for about $100) and use 9mm mags and you have a THREE caliber handgun. And I have three of them, consequtively numbered. Three threes. Seemed poetic almost.

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Matching numbers is what people care about with Mosins. They don't really have any collector value as there so many of them, so I can't see anybody paying a premium for consecutive numbers, unless all 3 are matching also.

Re: Consecutive Serial Numbers
 

Consecutively numbered can add value, but only to something that is collectible in the first place.

Consecutively numbered first generation Colts: value added
Consecutively numbered Sig: not so much.