How do you transfer a rifle that does not have serial number?

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Guntec

New member
I have a 22LR Remington rifle and it does not have any serial#. It was made in the 50s or maybe 60s and it's said that gun makers didn't put SN on these rimfire guns back in the days. I'm selling the rifle but I'm wondering if I'll have any hassels over the gun not having any serial# on it.
 
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I don't think that was legal even back then. But I used to have a gun made in the 50s that had its serial number on the bottom of the action, under the forend.
 
Serial numbers were NOT required until

enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA '68).

I don't think that was legal even back then.
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You are misinformed. See above.

Under "serial number," write "None." Next crisis. :rolleyes:
 
Or you can go to your local sheriffs office explain it to them and have them get you a state issue serial number. Did it for an old parker historical SG i donated to a museum.

SW
 
Even though not required, most guns, especially from the larger gunmakers have serial #s, all the way back into the early 1900's or before...You just may have to hunt for it. I suspect is DOES have aserial number, somewhere, it just may not be in an obvious place. ( I say this because I've "researched" quite a few guns for frinds that had family heirloooms that they wanted to know more about, and I've yet to find a gun, even from some of the smaller companies, that were prevalent in the early part of the 20th century, that didn't have a serial number somewhere. Often you have to dissaemble the gun to find it though.)
 
Is it truly a serial number?

I've yet to find a gun, even from some of the smaller companies, that were prevalent in the early part of the 20th century, that didn't have a serial number somewhere. Often you have to dissaemble the gun to find it though.)
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To be a serial number, it must be unique to that manufacturer and model. Some of the early numbers, if not for a contract, were batch numbers which identified the lot the gun was part of.

I just had a charge of "altered/obliterated serial number" thrown out because the idiot cops:

1. Provided ZERO evidence of the alteration or obliteration of a serial number (no restamping, filing, scratching, drilling or laser/chemical etching); AND

2. Even included a photo of the number - which was actually a series of four letters, one of which they did not include - in the police report. They even got their evidence numbers wrong in the report. :rolleyes:

Neither did they prove that the gun ever HAD a serial NUMBER, and it probably WAS made prior to 1968.

A felony charge which is now permanently on record and a couple of grand in legal fees because the police were too arrogant/ignorant/biased to do their job competently.:barf:
 
I'm reading that he was charged, but not convicted. I don't know the circumstances, but it probably shows an arrest, but no conviction. It's a shame, but that's almost as bad. :(
 
Fyi

My byf Luger has a four digit serial number. My understanding is there were a number of different companies during WWII alone making Lugers with no control list. Further some of these companies repeated numbers later during the war. Not to mention that Lugers were adopted just after the turn of the century by the Swiss initially, then Germany, as well as other countries. In short, no serial number on any Luger can be considered a unique serial number. Therefore any such serial number cant be considered evidence of anything. Just a coincidence ossifer. Now if I could just find grips that actually fit. Been through several sets of wood and theyre all loose. Gonna try the plastic ones when I get the chance.
 
What's the big deal? Are you both eligible to own firearms? If, so, he hands you cash, you hand him gun. End.
 
Several, I believe

What state requires documentation for the sale of a long gun?
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Massachusetts for sure and, I believe, also CA, NY and NJ; possibly MD also.

What's the big deal? Are you both eligible to own firearms? If, so, he hands you cash, you hand him gun. End.
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WRONG. See above.
 
Hmmm...

I've got a Winchester 1873 which has no serial number (common for repairs in the late 1800's) and a Remington .22 from the early 50's without serial number.

Number 6 is correct. Serial numbers were not REQUIRED prior to the GCA of 1968.

State law MAY require a serial number... but there was NO federal requirement for a serial number before 1968. Now, exactly what you do if you are trying to transfer a firearm sans serial in a state which reqires one is beyond me. Most states (and the BATFE) do not require that a firearm be transfered from FFL to FFL. I've bought and sold a few and only shipped to the FFL in the buyer's state of residence.
 
Last year I acquired a nice older Savage Fox double barreled shotgun from a dealer, on the federal form he just noted "Pre-'68, No Serial", and we were in business. No big deal.
There were thousands upon thousands of .22s & shotguns made prior to '68 without serial numbers, lots are still floating around out there, many run through gunshops, and the ATF recognizes that. They don't expect you to junk a perfectly good gun just because it was never made with a serial number, nor do they expect you to make one up & stamp it on the gun. At the federal level it's not a problem, locally where permits & such may be required may be a different matter.
Denis
 
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