Gaston Glock may have not known that he was helping to create what would become the world’s most popular handgun when he called together some of Europe’s top engineers in the early 1980’s. With much of the newly designed pistol made of lightweight but extremely durable polymers, the Glock soon developed a reputation as a handgun that was accurate, tough and never failed when needed.
Because of the popularity of the gun, and the idea that they lasted so long, interest grew in being able to track exactly when a gun was manufactured. Fortunately from the beginning, the Glock Corporation ensured they had a serial numbering system that would be easily understood and maintained.
Basic Numbers
AA000 was the start of the serial numbers. When it rolled over at AA999 they began again at AB000 up to ZZ999. At that point the letters rolled over to AAA000. That pattern continued. If your pistol has a US at the serial number end that means it was an United State import.
Example Dates
The AA series started on October 1986 and took until March 1992 to hit ZZ. AAA started in March 1992 and by only September 94 reached AZZ. By January 2000, the numbers started with DLU. Ten years later in January 2010 Glock was using PCL.
Custom Numbers
Often police departments with large orders would ask for custom serial numbers. The number would start with the department initials followed by 4 numbers, and end with US.
Examples would be Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP + badge #), New Orleans Police Department (NOLA + badge #), and the Texarkana Arkansas Police (TAPD + badge #).
Rare Numbers
Glock also made pistols for special occasions and they would have unique serial numbers. At the beginning of Desert Storm, 15 Desert Storm Presentation Glocks with a serial number starting with UD were given to selected persons in the President Bush administration and Department of Defense. For Glock's 10th anniversary, 200 special handguns were commissioned with the serial numbers beginning with AGM.
Contact
To contact Glock Corporation to directly ask about a specific serial number call (770) 432-1202 or toll free at (866) 225-4098
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Jack Burton started writing professionally in 1980 with articles in "Word from Jerusalem," "ICEJ Daily News" and Tagalong Garden News. He has managed radio stations, TV studios and newspapers, and was the chief fundraiser for Taltree Arboretum. Burton holds a B.S. in broadcasting from John Brown University. He is a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Navy/Navy Reserves and the Navy Seabees.
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