U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

The Effect of Time on Rusted Firearm Identification

Although iron-based metals are popular for making critical parts of firearms, they are susceptible to corrosion or rust. There is currently little research on how long a firearm can be left to rust before an identification is no longer possible. This project evaluates the effects of rust on the common working surfaces of Glock and Smith & Wesson Sigma firearms.


 

Date Published: January 5, 2022