For those who have imported Mauser sporting rifles using ATF Form 6s (from Holt's Auction website):

"IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U.S. BIDDERS. Please note that under current rulings enforced by BATF any Mauser 98 actioned sporting rifle REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION that has a thumb recess in the sidewall and loading-clip cut-out in the rear bridge will be refused an import permit into the United States."

Did they give any reason for this? It sounds like they now consider a thumb slot the same as a high capacity magazine LOL!

another crock of shieet

Someone is confused at either ATF or the auction house. Original Mauser sporting rifles (Model A, B, etc) and guns made on the original Mauser commercial actions are importable regardless if they have a thumb cur or not (most have the thumb cut). Military 98's need to be in the original military configuration and are not importable if sporterized. If you buy a 98 Mauser type gun and want it imported into the US be sure it was made on a real commercial Mauser action and not a reworked military action.

Hopefully it is the auction house who is confused. As I mentioned on another thread, I dealt with this problem several years ago when importing 3 commercial Oberndorf Mauser sporters. At first ATF denied my Form 6 application but acquiesced after I submitted information showing they were originally sporting rifles.

I saw this a while back and enquired from your ATF what it was all about.

Here is the original e-mail and reply:

From: Stephen Palos [mailto:weldec@worldonline.co.za]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:59 AM
To: EPS Directorate
Subject: Question re ruling on K98 Mauser Rifles.



Dear Sir



Whilst perusing the web site of a British Firearm auctioneer I came across the following statement:



IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U.S. BIDDERS. Please note that under current rulings enforced by BATF any Mauser 98 actioned sporting rifle REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION that has a thumb recess in the sidewall and loading-clip cut-out in the rear bridge will be refused an import permit into the United States.

As I am considering placing some old sporting Mauser rifles with this company for sale, and as the United States is a critically important collectors market, I would be pleased if the rationale behind this ruling could be explained to me.



Kind Regards



Stephen Palos
2782 905 7400

Randfontein

South Africa
------------------------------------------

ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch has advised that Mauser rifle receivers with the receiver thumb cut out design feature were intended to be military receivers. 18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3) prohibits the importation of surplus military firearms. However, as ATF Ruling 85-10 describes, Title 18 was amended to allow licensed importers to import curios and relics, excluding handguns not generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes. The amendment had the effect of allowing the importation of surplus military curio and relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation under 18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3). In classifying firearms as curios and relics under this regulation, ATF has recognized only assembled firearms as curios and relics. Surplus military firearms will not be classified as curios and relics unless they are assembled in their original military configuration and applications for permits to import such firearms will not be approved.



Should you have any additional questions, please contact the Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch at (304) 616-4550 and ask to speak with a Specialist.





From: EPS Directorate
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 9:48 AM
To: FES Division
Subject: FW: Question re ruling on K98 Mauser Rifles. -- IMP