Small Arms & Light Weapons Marking, Identification and Record Keeping
We have developed various Marking, Recording, Reporting solutions on SALW (Small Arms and Light Weapons) – and Weapons Management.
With the Weapons marking solution, we have supplied portable marking kits and software to 10 of the 14 SADCC countries, South Sudan and Mali, funded by the USA Government and the United Nations. We are also Marking, Recording with Management and reports on SALW.
The Kit consisted of the following:
- Telesis TMP6100 with a 470 controller and all accessories
- DPM (Direct parts marking) scanner
- Biometrics fingerprint scanner
- Custom-developed weapons marking software
- Carry Cases to pack all equipment in
- Custom Jigging to make provision for all types of weapons.
- 100 Litre Compressor
According to the SADC and Nairobi protocol, the software was based on the requirement that we proposed to the United Nation, which is best practice for Marking, Recording, Management and reports on SALW (Small arms and Light Weapons) Nairobi protocol. This software integrates with the Pinstamp machine to capture and uniquely mark all SALW.
Weapons Management is a comprehensive management system whereby we use biometrics fingerprints scanners and a barcode scanner to issue and return the weapons located in an armoury. There are business rules in the system developed to ensure people management (Valid persons, competent person), Item Management (Firearms, ammunition, security apparel, vehicle keys) will be correctly integrated to enforce rules and policy Weapons Management. (Please see attached Firearms Management system presentation).
Weapons are marked with a Unique Item Identification Code (UIIC). The UIIC is generated and issued from a central database. The UIIC will only be issued once the weapon’s serial number is entered into the system. The system checks for duplicate serial number within weapon manufacturer and calibre. If an identical serial number is detected, the serial number gets flagged, and an additional character is added to the new serial number. When the weapons are marked, a scan of the barcode confirms its readability; only after the weapons are scanned is the code activated, if the weapon is remarked, a new code will get assigned to the weapon. The Weapons Registration System has a user-friendly interface and can be deployed as a standalone or Enterprise System.
How to Put Serial Numbers, Graphics, and Logos on Firearms While Meeting Government Regulations
Anyone who has seen a firearm will notice the multitude of markings on it. Some of these may be for decorative purposes, or they may be for identifying the gun. But, the United States requires most of these markings for manufacturing and selling the guns.
There are several ways to create permanent marks on a gun. Most manufacturers use a combination of methods to produce these elements.
Roll Stamping
The first method is roll stamping. Roll stamping requires a press to force fixed characters into the gun. Roll stamping makes a mark quickly, which is an advantage. However, the die required can be very expensive. For instance, quick wear means the user needs to replace the dies often. Changes to the location and the die itself can be challenging as these machines need incredible force to imprint the gun part.
Dot Peen
A second method is the use of a dot peen marker. These devices can be programmed with data and they can be easily adjusted. Not only can the dot peen device mark serial numbers, but it has the ability to mark logos or custom marks. A dot peen marker is slightly slower than a die press, but its ability to utilize programming options gives it a desirable advantage. Scribe marking is a similar process, but instead of marking with dots, a pin scratches deep marks on the part.
Laser Marking
The third method (and the method that can produce the most aesthetically beautiful mark) is laser marking/engraving. Laser marking systems work at incredible speeds. They offer unlimited programming options for text, graphics, and logos. Also, a laser marks without the need to clamp the part down. The laser marks without any impact to the part. Lasers can produce a very deep mark in the metal. And, another huge advantage is the ability to mark not only the metal parts, but also the polymer receiver.
In Conclusion
The ATF requires firearms be marked with an identifying mark. These marks must have a depth of .003 inch. Any of these process can achieve this depth. Marking companies such as Telesis Technologies have been essential for providing marking equipment that exceeds government requirements. Manufactures of firearms and defense weapons trust Telesis Technologies to mark their products. Telesis marking systems are manufactured in the United States with a proven record. The company provides turn-key systems and top notch solutions the meet the most demanding requirements.
How to Put Serial Numbers, Graphics, and Logos on Firearms While Meeting Government Regulations
Anyone who has seen a firearm will notice the multitude of markings on it. Some of these may be for decorative purposes, or they may be for identifying the gun. But, the United States requires most of these markings for manufacturing and selling the guns.
There are several ways to create permanent marks on a gun. Most manufacturers use a combination of methods to produce these elements.
Roll Stamping
The first method is roll stamping. Roll stamping requires a press to force fixed characters into the gun. Roll stamping makes a mark quickly, which is an advantage. However, the die required can be very expensive. For instance, quick wear means the user needs to replace the dies often. Changes to the location and the die itself can be challenging as these machines need incredible force to imprint the gun part.
Dot Peen
A second method is the use of a dot peen marker. These devices can be programmed with data and they can be easily adjusted. Not only can the dot peen device mark serial numbers, but it has the ability to mark logos or custom marks. A dot peen marker is slightly slower than a die press, but its ability to utilize programming options gives it a desirable advantage. Scribe marking is a similar process, but instead of marking with dots, a pin scratches deep marks on the part.
Laser Marking
The third method (and the method that can produce the most aesthetically beautiful mark) is laser marking/engraving. Laser marking systems work at incredible speeds. They offer unlimited programming options for text, graphics, and logos. Also, a laser marks without the need to clamp the part down. The laser marks without any impact to the part. Lasers can produce a very deep mark in the metal. And, another huge advantage is the ability to mark not only the metal parts, but also the polymer receiver.
In Conclusion
The ATF requires firearms be marked with an identifying mark. These marks must have a depth of .003 inch. Any of these process can achieve this depth. Marking companies such as Telesis Technologies have been essential for providing marking equipment that exceeds government requirements. Manufactures of firearms and defense weapons trust Telesis Technologies to mark their products. Telesis marking systems are manufactured in the United States with a proven record. The company provides turn-key systems and top notch solutions the meet the most demanding requirements.
Serial Numbers Requirements on Firearms: How to Recover Removed Serial Numbers
How serial numbers on firearms help
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) requires serial numbers on guns. The serial number includes information related to the date and location of the weapon’s manufacturing. Additionally, if the weapon is stolen, it can help link the firearm to the original owner when the government places the serial number into a national database. This database prevents the firearm from being sold at licensed gun dealers and pawn shops that run the numbers through the database before they purchase it for resale. Importantly, as well, the serial number can help link the firearm back to crime if one were to occur.
How deep in the metal should the serial number be?
The ATF requires serial numbers on firearms be a minimum of .003in (0.07620 mm) deep. This depth makes the mark visible while the weapon experiences normal wear and tear. It is deep enough to deter criminals from grinding the identification off, as well.
This does not mean, however, that criminals do not remove the serial numbers. Once you remove the mark, the serial number is no longer visible. Criminals assume that this weapon is untraceable and that it can be used in a crime without the possibility of the gun being identified. Because manufacturers typically apply serials numbers by roll stamping, criminals need to grind them off if they’d like to remove the mark. This means one can clearly see deep scratches on the metal surface after “removal”.
Is the serial number still visible after removal?
What many owners may not know is that even when they remove a serial number, there may still be a way to see that number. One can utilize many methods that forensic scientists use to reveal the invisible.
When you apply the serial number with a device, it presses into the metal to form a character. This displaces the metal around the actual visible numbers. One can use a roll stamp, scribe marker, or dot peen. These methods for marking compress the metal below the characters and change the density. Because the density of the metal has changed, we can use a process to identify traceability of the invisible mark.
Forensic science uses many different ways to recover this mark including electromagnets and inferred cameras. With a PINSTAMP® mark, there may be a very small dot that still remains. When one grinds off the serial numbers, that process might fill in the metal. But, the information is still visible under magnification.
Because the density changes underneath the dots during the marking process, scientists can use acid etching to make the invisible to be visible. When you apply this acid to the surface of the removed mark, it will eat away at the metal at different rates causing the mark to become visible again.
Utilizing laser marking systems to create and uncover serial numbers
If the manufacturer applied the serial number with a laser, there are additional methods to bring the original mark back. When a laser is marking, it migrates the carbon material to the surface, which creates contrast. Even if someone illegal removes this mark later, Telesis’ proprietary restoration process can make the characters visible again. If someone has completed removed the serial numbers, it is possible to use heat and inferred magnification to recover the original mark.
Telesis Technologies has partnered with many firearm manufactures, the Department of Defense, the Armed Forces and Homeland Security. Because of advancements in technology, criminal investigators have new tools. These tools are critical to linking the firearm to the criminal if a crime were to occur. Telesis has provided assistance in solving high profile crimes that would have been impossible to solve without these marking systems and processes for recovering serial numbers.
