There are "gun smart" folks here on the forum. I need your help.

Uncle_Lee · June-09-23 05:06

I just bought a used Star Firestar Plus and am having trouble understanding the serial number.
The serial number is located on the left side, above the grip panel, made up of 6 or 7 numbers and numbers only. Like XXXXXXX
There is normally nothing in that area on the right side.

On this pistol, on the left side is numbers and dashes. XX-XX-
On the left side is numbers and dashes. XXXXX-XX-

I would love any help you can give me.

OV-1D · June-09-23 05:06

Unc you of all people .....................pictures might help .

pietro · June-09-23 06:06

.

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/numbering.shtml

.

Rick_Jorgenson · June-09-23 07:06

Well Uncle_Lee I am by no means a "gun smart" person but I did look up some info (Google is my brain!)

I ended up on this website for 45 minutes reading about the history of Spanish guns!

Maybe this page can help with identifying some of the markings. Not all are serial numbers apparently. And marking would change randomly and every 28 years (for some reason!)

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/numbering.shtml

I hope this helps

Rick_Jorgenson · June-09-23 07:06

Quote from: pietro on June-09-23 06:06
.

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/numbering.shtml

.

You beat me to it! lol!

The website has a lot of informations and history of Spanish guns and their manufacturing

Uncle_Lee · June-09-23 13:06

Thanks folks. I have been all through that site. Learned a little but not what I need.

OV-1D · June-09-23 14:06

Quote from: uncle_lee on June-09-23 13:06
Thanks folks. I have been all through that site. Learned a little but not what I need.

Might be a stupid idea but have you checked the magazines surfaces . Inside the slide also . Just a guess some guns have serial numbers on all removable parts inside and out . Good luck my friend .

Uncle_Lee · June-10-23 04:06

Quote from: OV-1D on June-09-23 14:06
Quote from: uncle_lee on June-09-23 13:06
Thanks folks. I have been all through that site. Learned a little but not what I need.

Might be a stupid idea but have you checked the magazines surfaces . Inside the slide also . Just a guess some guns have serial numbers on all removable parts inside and out . Good luck my friend .

I have been all over it inside and out with a magnifying glass looking for the manufacturing year.

Uncle_Lee · June-10-23 04:06

OK OV, you are correct.
Here is a couple of pictures of the correct (?) serial number and the placement of.

Uncle_Lee · June-10-23 05:06

OK OV, you are correct.
Here is a couple of pictures of the incorrect (?) serial numbers and the placement of.

OV-1D · June-10-23 06:06

Great , I suppose those are the ones your looking for .

Bigbird48 · June-10-23 07:06

just thinking out loud LOL 51-04 May 5th 1904...........1951 4 May

bearcatter · June-10-23 09:06

My Zastava serials are a mess. On the frame, slide, and barrel. The slide serial has a K- prefix, the others just six digits. I've emailed the Serbian and US offices for a date, no reply. Why is the K only in one place? Online I've seen no slide prefix, and other letters up to "M". The six numbers don't translate into a date. I bought two at the same time and the serials are only 19 apart. The third one was a month later, and it's still a "K" but about 2400 higher. All three are 3XXXXX. The new ones they don't export are different.

Good luck !

5_shooter · June-10-23 11:06

Maybe I'm wrong, but didn't the Firestar plus come out in the 1990s? I had a Firestar 40 s&w in the early 90s and I thought the plus came out after.

bill_deshivs · June-10-23 12:06

The number on the frame is the serial number.

5_shooter · June-10-23 12:06

I believe 01330 is the serial # and 95 is the year (1995).

bearcatter · June-10-23 13:06

I found mention of Firestars on several forums, but no help on numbers. Technically, you have a Model 243. Double stack alloy frame 9mm. The Model 43 was all steel, single stack, and many of the parts will interchange.

5_shooter · June-10-23 15:06

I changed my mind. I now think the 01330 is possibly an import number, but I still think it's possible the 95 # is the year. Maybe the year of import or the year of manufacture. I think I saw somewhere the Firestar plus was only made a couple of years. 1995- 1997 I think.

bearcatter · June-10-23 16:06

On one forum entry, there was a photo showing some proof marks on the frame under the left grip. Some of the proof marks were stamped above a 3 or 4 digit date. The Firestar number link has a section about proof marks, right after the serials section.
The older Stars having the model and serial on the bottom of the grip would be helpful here, but newer guns don't have it.

Uncle_Lee · June-11-23 05:06

Quote from: bill_deshivs on June-10-23 12:06
The number on the frame is the serial number.

There are numbers on both sides of the frame as in the pictures.

The Firestar was only made from 95 to 97.
The date code would be, T2, U2, or V2.

My question is why is the serial number different?
I have seen many, many Firestar Plus's and this one is the only one that has this kind of markings.

5_shooter · June-11-23 06:06

I'm confused. Are these pictures of 2 different guns?

OV-1D · June-11-23 06:06

Quote from: uncle_lee on June-11-23 05:06
Quote from: bill_deshivs on June-10-23 12:06
The number on the frame is the serial number.

There are numbers on both sides of the frame as in the pictures.

The Firestar was only made from 95 to 97.
The date code would be, T2, U2, or V2.

Possibly a European model Unc . Again just thinking maybe or two or three guns made for one good working one .

My question is why is the serial number different?
I have seen many, many Firestar Plus's and this one is the only one that has this kind of markings.

Like was said European imports are always serial numbered strangely Why I figure different parts are made in differentb locations and its like this piece was made here kinda thing .

Uncle_Lee · June-12-23 06:06

Quote from: 5_shooter on June-11-23 06:06
I'm confused. Are these pictures of 2 different guns?

Yep, 2 different guns.
Check out the labels of the pictures.

Blending a dozen pistols wouldn't change the serial numbering of the frame.
This frame has numbers where it shouldn't. and the numbers that are where they should be are not the right kind.

I am thinking that maybe a small run for a special use.

5_shooter · June-12-23 06:06

I go back to my first guess. the 01330 # is the serial # 95 the year. I believe you have one of the first Firestar Plus to come off the line. The 51-04 may be a more specific date code, an internal company code for the first batch, or an import code. I believe the company is out of business, so we may never know. I remember two things about the Firestar I had. 1) it was very accurate and 2) I wish I still had it.

Uncle_Lee · June-13-23 04:06

Quote from: 5_shooter on June-12-23 06:06
I go back to my first guess. the 01330 # is the serial # 95 the year. I believe you have one of the first Firestar Plus to come off the line. The 51-04 may be a more specific date code, an internal company code for the first batch, or an import code. I believe the company is out of business, so we may never know. I remember two things about the Firestar I had. 1) it was very accurate and 2) I wish I still had it.

Kind of my guess also.
I did a LOT of shootings in the 90's and yes they are accurate. I don't have any pictures so I can't brag.