SAR 18#6

Glock
beginning with two letters followed by
the typical three numbers and a “US”
suffix indicating they were for export to
the United States. The two characteristic
proof mark logos appeared on the
frames, slides, and barrels while additional
markings, such as a three letter
manufacturer’s code and a pentagon
appeared on the barrel only.
The official serial number in the
United States is the one appearing on
the frame which includes the “US” suffix.
These numbers appear on a metal
insert on the bottom of the frame
just ahead of the trigger guard. The
early versions of these were black in
color and the “US” appears to be in a
different font than the alpha-numeric
characters that make up the rest of the
numbers. These black serial number
plates were used in the early Generation
2 Glock 19 pistols in the same serial
number ranges as their Generation 1
Glock 17 siblings.
Glock pistols have always had two
cartouches on the top and bottom of
the right side of the grip. The upper
cartouche on the generation 1 pistols
reads: “GLOCK, INC., SMYRNA, GA.”
while the lower marking read “US. Pat.
4,539, 889”. Each of these is a single
line of text that appears with embossed
characters over a smooth background
surface in the polymer of the frame
surrounded by the existing texture.
Opposite Page Top: Beginning with late 3rd and early 4th generation guns, Glock
began manufacturing handguns in the U.S. These are designated with markings on
the slide, barrel, and the upper grip cartouche on the right side of the frame.
Opposite Page Bottom: (Left to right) Grip shape and texture on generation 3, 2, and
1, Glock 17 pistols seen with corresponding generations of magazine floor plates.
Above: It was not until the 4th Generation of Glock pistols that the “Gen#” was
added to the slide markings. “Gen4” guns have a larger magazine release, square
texture elements on all sides of the grip, and a smaller palm swell that can be
augmented with grip shoes to accommodate a larger hand size.
www.smallarmsreview.com 53 SAR Vol. 18, No. 6