The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...

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1.3 MARKING
1.3.1 Introduction
A wide range of consumer goods—including automobile parts,
computers, electrical equipment and toys—are marked with a serial
number or other unique code at the time of manufacture, in order to permit
their identification and, if necessary, tracing. So it is with most SALW. The
majority of small arms manufacturers mark the weapons they produce with
a serial number and other identifying marks during the production process.
Virtually every arms producing country has some form of regulation of the
manufacture and marking of weapons produced within its jurisdiction.
However, regulatory requirements and marking practices vary widely and
are often inadequate. For example, marks may not be unique or may be
easy to remove or difficult to read. Unmarked or inadequately marked
batches of weapons continue to be produced—often for the home
country’s armed forces. 13
1.3.2 Methods for Marking SALW
As mentioned, most SALW are marked during manufacture. Using a
variety of marking techniques including engraving, casting, stamping and
etching, marks are applied to such essential weapon components as the
frame and receiver. In practice, the location of marks varies widely,
depending on the manufacturer and relevant national regulations.
Most—but not all—arms manufacturing States require the primary
identifying marks to be conspicuous, permanent and legible if the weapons
are intended for the civilian market. However, manufacturers do not always
uniquely mark the weapons they make for national armed forces, leaving
the armed forces to mark such arms later, according to their own needs.
Worldwide, the preferred method for marking SALW remains
stamping (impressing) on the metal. This is not only simple and cheap, but
also has substantial forensic advantages. The depth of disruption to the
molecular structure of metal caused by stamping is much greater than with
less intrusive methods, such as etching and engraving—thus improving the
chances of retrieving information even after attempts are made to erase the
mark.