Living in a ban states, I am contemplating the purchase of a pre-ban Colt. The serial # is: MH 08896XX Sporter H Bar. It's a small front pin, full fence lower. According to biggerhammer.net, this serial is outside of pre ban numbers. However, the seller claims that since it's not marked Law Enforcement only, it must be a preban. Interestingly, when I called Colt with the full serial #, the tech person claimed he could NOT find this rifle at all!
Can someone shed more light on serial #/pre/post banness?

Thanks!