As for materials: The cast parts (slide, frame, trigger, hammer, magazine safety and magazine catch) are all made of 415 stainless, which is a special 400 series blend that is also used by other manufacturers like Ruger.All pistols with a serial number higher than 31000 are made of this material.We had previously used 416 for the frame (used to make knives and gun parts) and 17-4PH (used. York Serial Numbers ID FROM HISTORY TO OCTOBER 2004 X X X X 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 DIGITS SEQUENCED NUMBERS TYPE OF ITEM M=Mfg. Basic Unit P=Purchased Basic Unit A 1971 A 1992 S=Mfg. Low Side Item Month B 1972 B 1993 T=Purchased Low Side Item A Jan. C 1973 C 1994 Y=Mfg.Accessory B Feb. D 1974 D 1995 Z=Purchased Accessory Plant C Mar. E 1975 E 1996 O=Filler. To help you determine the year made, find your serial number and then select a link from those below to sites that offer serial dates. The Blue Book of Used Gun Values offers serial numbers for the following makers: AYA, Boss & Co., Ltd, Browning, EJ Churchill, Colt, Colt Black Powder 2nd Gen, John Dickson & Son, AH Fox, German early Date Codes.
| Colt Carbine | ||
| Competition HBAR | ||
| Government Carbine | ||
| Governmodel Model Service | ||
| Match HBAR | ||
| Match Lightweight | ||
| Match Target | ||
| Sporter | ||
| Sporter Target | ||
| 9mm |
Above Information Courtesy Stokes
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others, mostly from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be clearly noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon. Please note that BATF has ruled that 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' are two different things. A Pre-ban lower is only grandfathered if it: 1. was a complete rifle prior to 9/13/94; 2. possessed two banned features (pistol grip and CAR stock assembled); or 3. was part of a complete weapon kit, either assembled or not. This list does not discern between 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' as it is very nearly impossible to find that detail of information. If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail (hkusp40@midmaine.com) and I will update and re-issue the list. Note:All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX - ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY. Finally, BATF has allowed some pre-ban damaged to be replaced with post-ban lowers with numbers outside the ranges given below while retaining the grandfathered status. They will send a letter documenting this and allowing the original manufacturer to proceed with the replacement. Colt (800) 962-COLT |
| 1963 | SP00001-SP00023** | ||
| 1964 | SP00101 | ||
| 1965 | SP02501 | ||
| 1966 | SP05600 | ||
| 1967 | SP08250 | ||
| 1968 | SP10750 | ||
| 1969 | SP14000-SP14653 | ||
| 1970 | SP15001-SP15473 | ||
| 1971 | SP16001 | ||
| 1972 | SP19401 | ||
| 1973 | SP24201 | ||
| 1974 | SP32601 | ||
| 1975 | SP43801 | ||
| 1976 | SP55301 | ||
| 1977 | SP67651 | ||
| 1978 | SP83400 | ||
| CC001616 and Below | |||
| CH019500 and Below | |||
| GC018500 and Below | |||
| LH011326 and Below | |||
| MH086020 and Below | |||
| NL004800 and Below | |||
| SL027246 and Below | |||
| SP360200 and Below | |||
| ST038100 and Below | |||
| TA10100 and Below | |||
| BD000134 and Below(AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model) | |||
| MT00001 and Above | |||
| BK000001and Above (CAR-A3) | |||
| CST000001 and Above (Began Late 1997 Production) | |||
| CMH000001 and Above | |||
| CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production |
Serial Number Information Courtesy Geremy Chubbuck
| Private | |
| Industry | Firearms |
|---|---|
| Founded | Incorporated 1973 |
| Founder | Ludwig 'Louis' Wilhelm Seecamp, Lueder 'Larry' Seecamp |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | John Whalley (CEO), Chris Garvey (Prgm Mgr) |
| Products | Pistols |
| Website | http://www.seecamp.com |
Seecamp Serial Number Date List
L. W. Seecamp Co. was a manufacturer of handmade pocket pistols located in Milford, Connecticut from 1981 to 2014. In 2014, the company announced that Whalley Precision would take over production of the pistols.[1][2]
Seecamp Magazine Extension
History[edit]
L. W. Seecamp Co. was started as a pistol smithing company in 1973 By Ludwig (Louis) Wilhelm Seecamp who trained as a master gunsmith in pre-World War II Germany. Seecamp immigrated to the US in 1959 and was a gun designer for shotgun maker O.F. Mossberg. He also specialized in double-action conversions for the 1911 Colt.45. At the time, there were no commercially available double-action 1911 pistols anywhere in the world.[3]
In 1978, Seecamp specialized in the miniaturization of pistols. The Seecamp patented spring system is currently used in almost every locked breech miniaturized semi-auto pistol.[4]
In 1981 Seecamp ventured into firearms manufacturing, beginning with the LWS-25.[5]
Seecamp Serial Number Chart Rows
The elder Seecamp died in 1989. His son, Larry, kept the company going in a small shop. He only had about seven employees at his height. Until the acquisition by Whalley in 2019, all guns were handmade one at a time in the old-world fashion.
Models[edit]
All Seecamp pistols are double action only (DAO), and are similar in size. Barrel length is 2.06 inches (5.2 cm), and weight is 11.5 ounces (330 g). Grips are glass-filled nylon and checkered.[6] These pistols are not equipped with sights because they are intended for use at close range.[6] The Seecamp, like the CzechoslovakianCZ 45 pistol, utilizes a very compact and reliable DAO trigger mechanism.[6] Each pull of the trigger first cocks then releases the hammer.[6] The hammer follows the slide after each shot and rests in the down position.[6]
The original Seecamp model was the LWS-25 chambered in .25 ACP and manufactured from 1981 through 1985, with a total production of about 5000 units. It used traditional blowback operation with a magazine capacity of 7 rounds. The .25 ACP model was dropped shortly after the introduction of the .32 ACP version.[5]
Seecamp's second model, the LWS-32 was designed around the only hollow point .32 ACP ammunition available at the time, Winchester Silvertips. Ammunition with an overall length exceeding 0.910' (23.1mm) may not feed or chamber correctly. Operation is through chamber-ring delayed blowback where a raised ring at the rear of the chamber retards the rearward motion of the slide. This model uses a magazine with a capacity of 6 rounds. The LWS-32 remains Seecamp's most popular firearm. During the height of demand, production guns were selling out years in advance with individual guns selling for up to US$1000.[5]
There were 20 sets made in both .25 ACP and .32 ACP with matching serial numbers in 1988.[7]
In 1999 Seecamp introduced a third model, the LWS-380 chambered in .380 ACP. The LWS-380 is the same size as the LWS-32.[5]
Influence[edit]
In 1997, North American Arms introduced their Guardian pistol in .32 ACP attempting to compete with the smaller sized Seecamp and Rocky Bannister of Autauga Arms released a near clone of the Seecamp LWS-32.[6] Seecamp sales remained unaffected despite the availability of a near clone alternative. Further competition is provided by Kel-Tec in the form of their P32 and P3AT polymer-framed pistols which are bigger in profile but lighter and thinner.[6] Unlike the Seecamp, the North American Arms and Kel-Tec versions have rudimentary sights.[6]
References[edit]
- ^http://seecamp.com/Announcement.pdf
- ^http://seecamp.com/
- ^Ayoob, Massad (15 March 2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 25. ISBN1-4402-1503-0.
- ^James, Frank (15 December 2004). Effective Handgun Defense: A Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 184, 193. ISBN0-87349-899-2.
- ^ abcdAhern, Jerry (5 October 2010). '27'. Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Concealed-Carry Handguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 177–180. ISBN1-4402-1743-2.
- ^ abcdefghAyoob, Massad (28 September 2007). The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 38. ISBN1-4402-1825-0.
- ^Shideler, Dan; Lee, Jerry (December 2011). 2012 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 992. ISBN1-4402-1688-6.