?

seems they are trying to make themselves relevent by making rules to be enforced...by them of course

friggn morons!

Something smells like

I'd dig into the ruling to see what they're up to.

Hi Alf

I have been through this.....4 times, 9 rifles, I am 8 wins, one loss.

ATF prohibits the import of military arms that have been modified from their original configuration.

They are not too bright there, and just issue blanket denials for anything that says "Mauser", and if they were to happen to inspect the rifle in question, they may reject it out of hand as a modified military "arm" because of the tell tale Mauser characteristics.

Very lame. My first attempt to import was rejected because I wrote the manufacturer as "Mauser". Their reason was I was trying to import a military armament and for that I needed a special license.

My next application listed the manufacturer as "Deutsche Wafenn Und Munitionsfabriken-Obendorf", and was approved.

Please note, that the rifle was not ever originally a military rifle, it was an original Mauser sporting rifle, so there was no funny business on my side of things.

Bear in mind ATF never looks at the rifle. They may ask for a photo of it before they approve it, but only if your initial application raises a red flag. The rifle comes to US customs, they check serial numbers, and have your FFL importer certify that the rifles match the permit.

Note, I was unable to import a MS 1903 rifle and had to send it back- with no refund for me from the shop. I put down the manufacturer as MS but the model as Mauser 96. ATF requested photos. they said it was a sporterized military rifle. I could not prove it wasn't, so I lost out big time.

In general, it can be pretty dicey to bring "Mausers" in, but bear in mind, ATF never inspects or looks at the actual rifle, so I don't know where Holts comes up with their guidelines.

You can still import Mausers, but as 404 points out, they must be unaltered. Moreover, you also have to prove that they have been out of "circulation" for the preceding 5-years prior to import.

Look at SARCO and SAMCO, the thumb cut has nothing to do with it. They are buying from armories and are able to provide documentation to BATFE that the rifles have been in storage and out of military use for the prescribed period.

I've imported several commercial 98 Mausers from Europe and Canada using ATF Form 6 including original Oberndorf Sporters. As long as I included documentation with my application(from Gun Traders Guide, Shooters Bible, Speed's or Olson's books, etc.) showing the rifle in its original configuration proving it was never a military Mauser I had no problems.