Need help, keep it or deep six this 1911.

[jim c 351]

I am aware of several Thompson Submachine guns that had the serial numbers ground off and were confiscated by the law.
The Treasury dept. allowed these police officers to crudely install a new serial number and register the guns. Several of these guns are now in the hand of collectors.
This took place before 1968. Wouldn't be permitted today.
Sometimes people get confused. They assume everything was always as it is now.
Jim C
PS, If it could be documented that the 1911 in question was once owned by the Dillinger gang and recovered and renumbered by Melvin Purvis, then bids would start at $250,000.00.
Make haste slowly.

[joem]

I also had heard that the BATF could assign a S/N to a firearm and it could be applied by the gunsmith.

[Johnny P]

The only time I have heard that a serial number could be applied to a firearm was where the firearm was stolen, recovered with the serial number removed, and the BATF authorized the serial number to be replaced. Otherwise, you are back to someone stealing a firearm, removing the serial number, and getting the BATF to authorize a new serial number.

It is illegal to possess the firearm with a removed or altered serial number, so unless the firearm was yours and originally listed on a theft report, how do you explain the missing serial number? As someone mentioned, it just isn't worth the risk of losing you right to own a firearm to keep something of low value and high risk.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx...3.1.17&idno=27

[Tuna]

As I said before it very well could be a number that was OK with ATF. I would suggest that the owner call ATF and ask them about it. He has nothing to loose and it very well could be an assigned number. If it isn't and ATF wants it then it's easy to strip off all the parts down to a bare frame and turn it in. They will not do anything to someone doing the right thing and it's pretty much the same as taking it apart and tossing the frame in the ocean.

[jim c 351]

The only time I have heard that a serial number could be applied to a firearm was where the firearm was stolen, recovered with the serial number removed, and the BATF authorized the serial number to be replaced. Otherwise, you are back to someone stealing a firearm, removing the serial number, and getting the BATF to authorize a new serial number.

It is illegal to possess the firearm with a removed or altered serial number, so unless the firearm was yours and originally listed on a theft report, how do you explain the missing serial number? As someone mentioned, it just isn't worth the risk of losing you right to own a firearm to keep something of low value and high risk.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx...3.1.17&idno=27

Johnny,
You know what you know.
The problem is, You don't know what you don't know.
Jim C

[Johnny P]

Johnny,
You know what you know.
The problem is, You don't know what you don't know.

Jim C

Well, I have posted information from the Federal Firearms Act of 1938 that is very self explanatory, so now tell us where your information comes from. Your turn to explain what I don't know.

As to talking to the BATF, they are not one huge organization with everyone in total agreement. Talk to anyone that has dealt with them and they will tell you to get any opinion in writing, as opinions at the BATF vary.

[ww2imposter]

IF the frame is deep sixed and you decide to sell the slide I would love to have 1st refusal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jim c 351]

Well, I have posted information from the Federal Firearms Act of 1938 that is very self explanatory, so now tell us where your information comes from. Your turn to explain what I don't know.

As to talking to the BATF, they are not one huge organization with everyone in total agreement. Talk to anyone that has dealt with them and they will tell you to get any opinion in writing, as opinions at the BATF vary.

Johnny,
Here's one for you.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/24...ntcmp=features
Jim C
Here's another.
http://www.machinegunboards.com/foru...opic=14089&hl= removed serial numbers
Let me know if you require more examples.
Jim C

[Johnny P]

Jut goes to show that the BATF doesn't always comply with federal law. The law is not hard to understand, but they made an exception if enough money was involved.

On the OP's pistol someone knew it was illegal and attempted to use a number that was similar to those used by Springfield Armory.

[Duane Hansen]

As I said before it very well could be a number that was OK with ATF. I would suggest that the owner call ATF and ask them about it. He has nothing to loose and it very well could be an assigned number. If it isn't and ATF wants it then it's easy to strip off all the parts down to a bare frame and turn it in. They will not do anything to someone doing the right thing and it's pretty much the same as taking it apart and tossing the frame in the ocean.

If you go this route and the ATF should decide they want it, they will take the whole thing and not just the frame. Then you will even be out all the parts that could have been sold or used to build another one.