Bizarre serial number on Les Paul junior

[George]

I got the 1956 LPjr from a LPF advertiser yesterday. Before purchasung I inquired about what seemed to be an absence of a serial number.
I was reassured that the number was in fact there, but was super hard to see because it was in darl ink and a equally dark finish was applied over it.
I was certain (and also mistaken) that it was stamped (impressed) into the wood and the seller assured me it wasn't and he's seen this before.
So after work today I closely examined the number under magnification and concede that the number was inked on with black/dark ink and finished over.
The nummber itself is illegible,but the font looks correct.
Literally everything else about this fine piece is spot-on and to make matters worse it sounds great.
The seller, in a very stand-up gesture has allowed me to return it.
However I don't want to return it only find out that this serial number deal was legit, and fairly common and to not woory.
On the other hand I don't want to have to deal with owning this down the road as an issues-guitar...
So, What say you?? I am telling you, photos will do no good. I'm basically asking the collective intelligence and experience whether they have encountered a situation like this.
Thanks.

 

[neuroy]

What is the issue...?
Perhaps black light can show the number.
All original 1956 junior is what it is. Serial is present and could be confirmed by Gibson.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

The number is black ink some are hard to read due to the brown finish on back of headstock

 

[George]

The issue is the number is completely or nearly obscured by the finish and absolutely illegible.

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

I’ve seen as many ‘dark back’ Les Pauls with black inked S/N’s, as the white inked examples (looks yellow, but it’s actually white with ambered clear coats).

Clearly Gibson switched from one to the other on darker backed guitars like the Jnr/Les Paul Goldtops for legibility reasons, and yes, it’s completely plausible there are examples with barely legible stamps due to the lack of contrast.

You state there *is* a serial under there, in the correct spot, with the correct font, not actually completely missing (which would indicate a refin at foremost), so I’d say, with all else being 100% kosher, it’s just one such example.

If that’s the guitar above, it’s absolutely A-OK, and I’d have no issue with owning it, and it’s a shame you’re giving up what sounds like a killer guitar, and kudos to the dealer for being so flexible- it’d be sporting of you to buy another with a more legible S/N from him to return the favour imo.