ForestLemon

It was written in pencil inside the bridge pickup route.

I emailed Heritage about the guitar, and Mike confirmed that D25423 would in fact be the serial number, during it to 1987. Also after closer investigation, I think the fretboard is actually Ebony rather than Rosewood, which is kind of cool. I originally thought it had been painted due to how dark it is, but the wood is the same color in damage around the fret edges from when the originals were pulled. You can also still see the original finish on the sides in some places so I know the fretboard wasn't replaced. Thanks everyone for your help with this guitar, it's turned out to have quite the story.

I ended up purchasing it for $800 today. It's definitely been pretty heavily modified, but plays and sounds great. Upon further examination the model number was on the sticker, just faded. It indicates the guitar was originally Cherry Red, and it has definitely been stripped of the finish. There are still bits of the original finish in the routes. It has been refretted, and the strange part is the fretboard was finished black, I'm assuming at the same time. I suspect the headstock was also refinished and a new logo added at some point. Because there is some chipping by the nut that has black finish in it. Pickups have been swapped for Dimarzio 36th Anniversary and the electronics are all newer as well. Altogether it's a collectors worst nightmare, but it plays and sounds great, so I'm happy with it.

I spoke to the seller on the phone and he seems like a decent guy. Says the serial number is still visible in person so I'm going to check it out tomorrow. I also emailed Heritage and they said they couldn't confirm it for sure without a serial number, but looks right for an H-140 and they think it's been refinished as well. The seller is looking to fund another guitar purchase so he said he would take $800.

Looks to be all good on the front.

Yeah it's a tough choice because it's has so many weird attributes. I don't doubt it's real, just what has been done to it. Almost looks like the whole guitar has been stripped of the finish. Considering offering him less, but the case doesn't look right, no model distinction on the control plate, and the Gibson vintage tuners are just odd.

It's just for sale in Craigslist local only. He said he would entertain a lower offer so its a tough decision whether I should pull the trigger.

Western NC

There is an H-140 for sale locally, but the back of the headstock was sanded and with it the serial number was sanded off. I was ready to buy it for $1k, but it's in kind of rough shape and the missing serial number just killed it for me. It's a bummer as I was really looking forward to playing my first Heritage, but missing serial numbers are a huge red flag for me. Hopefully I can find another one in my price range some day.