AFTE Store - The Restoration of Obliterated Laser-Etched Firearm Identifiers by Conventional and Alternative Decryption Methods

This article reviews the restoration of obiterated laser-etched firearm serial number and barcode identifiers by using conventional processing and automatic decryption methods. Additionally, procedures on how to manually decrypt Code 39 firearm barcodes are detailed. The Code 39 barcode is the type presently used on Smith & Wesson Sigma series pistols as part of the serial number identifier. Because this type barcode is now being laser-etched and tested as a firearm component in Europe, their prevalent use as a firearm marking(s) in the future is very probable.