Portable firearms having identification marks

Abstract

Portable firearms having identification marks and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a first identification number visibly located on the firearm; and a second, hidden or disguised identification number associated with the first identification number to facilitate identifying the firearm if the first identification number is destroyed, changed, or damaged.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A firearm comprising: 
 a housing;    a first identification number visibly located on the firearm; and    a second identification number hidden in the firearm.    
     
     
         2 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the second identification number is associated with the first identification number to permit identification of the firearm even if the first identification number is destroyed.  
     
     
         3 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the second identification number comprises a bar code in a recess associated with a hammer of the firearm.  
     
     
         4 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the second identification number is hidden in a magazine box of the firearm.  
     
     
         5 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the second identification number is stored on an information storage medium.  
     
     
         6 . A firearm as defined in  claim 5  wherein the information storage medium is hidden in a bore in the housing.  
     
     
         7 . A firearm as defined in  claim 6  wherein the bore is closed by a lid.  
     
     
         8 . A firearm as defined in  claim 5  wherein the identification medium comprises an electronic chip.  
     
     
         9 . A firearm as defined in  claim 8  wherein the electronic chip comprises a transponder.  
     
     
         10 . A firearm as defined in  claim 9  wherein the transponder is cylindrical.  
     
     
         11 . A firearm as defined in  claim 9  wherein the transponder is inductively energized by a scanner to read the second identification number.  
     
     
         12 . A firearm as defined in  claim 11  wherein the transponder is read without removing the transponder from the firearm.  
     
     
         13 . A firearm as defined in  claim 11  wherein the firearm is dimensioned to be inserted in its entirety into the scanner such that the person scanning the firearm need not know where the transponder is located within the firearm to obtain the second identification number.  
     
     
         14 . A firearm as defined in  claim 11  wherein a portion of the firearm is dimensioned to be positioned within the scanner to read the second identification number.  
     
     
         15 . A firearm as defined in  claim 5  wherein the identification medium is located in an interior of the housing.  
     
     
         16 . A firearm as defined in  claim 5  wherein the housing is plastic and the identification medium is embedded in the plastic of the housing.  
     
     
         17 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the first and second identification numbers is hidden in a bore in the housing.  
     
     
         18 . A firearm as defined in  claim 17  wherein the bore is closed by a lid.  
     
     
         19 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second identification numbers are different.  
     
     
         20 . A firearm comprising: 
 a housing;    a first identification number visibly located on the firearm; and    a second identification number located on the firearm, the second identification number being disguised so as not to appear as an identification number.    
     
     
         21 . A firearm as defined in  claim 20  wherein the second identification number comprises omissions of fields in checkering of a portion of the housing.  
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a firearm comprising: 
 placing a first identification number in a visible location on a firearm;    inserting a transponder storing a second identification number in a hidden location within the firearm; and    recording the second identification number in association with the first identification number.    
     
     
         23 . A method as defined in  claim 22  wherein the transponder is preprogrammed.  
     
     
         24 . A method as defined in  claim 22  wherein inserting the transponder storing the second identification number in the hidden location within the firearm comprises inserting the transponder in a recess defined in the firearm.  
     
     
         25 . A method as defined in  claim 24  further comprising covering the recess with at least one of a lid and paint.  
     
     
         26 . A method as defined in  claim 22  wherein inserting the transponder storing the second identification number in the hidden location within the firearm comprises injecting the transponder into a plastic portion of the firearm when the plastic portion is being molded.