missing numbers

[John Sabato]

Originally Posted by CAP Black

For a 1906 Navy is there any good way to derive the Serial number when the places where the four digits are placed have been ground off?

... How illegal is it to have a gun with the real s.n. removed?

Sorry... but you are all operating under a pretty thin assumption here about old guns not requiring a serial number... in my opinion, this only applies IF the gun was manufactured without a serial number, not if one has been removed.

I am not a lawyer, but I have been in the gun game for over 50 years and have known several ATF agents in my time... some good and some bad...and IMNSHO, this gun is a walking federal felony (called defacing a serial number) if, in fact, the missing numbers have been ground off... and possession of a gun that has had the serial number defaced would also be a federal felony.

Picking it up at a show or in a shop to examine it is one thing, but I wouldn't even allow this gun to enter my home.

Possessing this gun is taking a chance with your personal right to own and use firearms, and FREEDOM that isn't worth whatever they are asking for it. Don't say you haven't been warned.

If you are not convinced, then just read this thread that was posted today by Yesterday, 10:39 PM #1
Terry Tiell about a gun confiscation incident regarding the BATFE view of serial number "manipulation"

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=29824

I say "BE AFRAID---BE VERY AFRAID"

Originally Posted by CAP Black

Anyway to reliably re-affix the s.n.?
thanks
Jack

If you have PROOF of what the actual serial number should be, the BATFE can advise you on getting the number properly re-affixed to the gun... but you still run the risk that they would confiscate the gun for having the serial number defaced in the first place.

An example...In the mid 1970's, when I had the late Lewis Seecamp modify my all steel Colt Combat Commander .45 to true double-action, the modification required that the serial number be moved. Mr. Seecamp had a letter from the ATF that authorized him to move the serial number from it's standard location to the underside of the frame forward of the trigger, because the modification basically amounted to the gun being "re-manufactured"... This had to be done IN ADVANCE of the modification, not afterward, to ensure that the legal line on defacing the original serial number was not crossed in the eyes of the ATF.

[Norme]

In case anyone is wondering what we're talking about, here is a link to the Gunbroker listing:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=326685146
I have no idea what the legal consequences are of buying a gun which has had it's serial numbers removed, but I would have to agree with John, it's just not a risk worth taking.
Regards, Norm