If you have a custom built gun or a gun manufactured before 1968 that doesn’t have a serial number on it I know you can do the formal FFL transfer without any problems – have done two in the past with old pre 1960 Mossberg shotguns.

Questions are: a) Can you get a 4457 issued without a serial number? b) Has anyone successfully gotten in/out of any foreign country (to include Canada) and back into the US without being hassled because of not having a serial number on the firearm (presuming you were able to obtain a 4457) c) Should I take it to my GS and have some kind of ID number (not a serial number) engraved/stamped into it to facilitate obtaining a 4457 and foreign country temporary import permits?

I tried to get a 4457 for an FN that had been rebarreled and the serial number had been on the old barrel not on the receiver. Customs would not issue the 4457 without some identification number on the rifle. That was in Houston, at some other office, who knows what the agent might be willing to do.

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Should I take it to my GS and have some kind of ID number (not a serial number) engraved/stamped into it to facilitate obtaining a 4457 and foreign country temporary import permits?

Yes, absolutely. Any number is good, as long as it is stamped and "permanent".

Here in Canada, where all firearms are registered (for our own good, of course ) guns without serial numbers are issued an identification sticker along with the normal ownership certificate. This small clear plastic decal bears the identification number assigned to the gun by the powers-that-be, and is supposed to be adhered to the gun in a visible location. I assume that if you bring a non-serialized gun into the country for hunting or other purposes, they will place the same set of hoops in front you and command you to "jump!"

I'm proud of my country, but I'm really getting tired of apologizing for my government.

Gents:

Thanks for the quick responses. I have been giving the “method” to use to put a permanent ID number on it some thought. Would just my name engraved on the receiver work or would it “need” to be an ID “number”?

If I have my GS “stamp” a number/name on it will it damage the bluing? There are a couple of places in the local area that offer Laser etching/engraving. Anybody know if this would damage the bluing? Might be neater/cleaner/less obtrusive appearing than die stamping would be. Guess I can wait till tomorrow and call them if someone doesn’t have first hand knowledge.

I would find someone good with one of those electric engraving "pencils" and have a number put on the bottom of the barrel in front of the end of the stock.

I only have bolt guns so I have my # put on the tang so you have to remove bolt to see. I use my birthday on all my custom rifles. Never had a problem with any officals.

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Would just my name engraved on the receiver work or would it “need” to be an ID “number”?

No, put you initials and some numerig digits, eg A393X

Do not use Z and 2, O and 0, S and 5, 1 and I, B or 8, etc as these get screwed up on permits all too often. Use only uppercase characters and numeric digits that can not be confused or misinterpreted. And no spaces or special characters. (Eg OS5105S - is a BAD number ...)

quote:

If I have my GS “stamp” a number/name on it will it damage the bluing?

Not really. Keep it small and short - eg "WR93X" A GS that knows his stuff will tap it in in no time with no damage.

If you ever intend to bring your rifle to Africa, you need a number. Any number. But a number to be seen, and read, and carefully recorded in ink on all sorts of papers with rubber stamps.

You do not want to try and explain the unexplainable: in this world, firearms are created with a number, and the presence of the hallowed number in the right place always elicits a wide smile. The absence of the hallowed number would be a cataclysmic event, resounding deep in the sacred bureaucratic spheres, with incalculable repercussions.

Johan's advice is excellent.

My rechambered Brno says .375 H&H on it. So, to avoid hassles I got ".375 WM" also engraved on it -- used the same folks my 'smith uses.

If you know the serial number from the barrel, why couldn't you get it re-engraved?
2 cents

BNagel,

that will get you in trouble some day in Africa. They aren't bright enough to differentiate between those two numbers/calibers.

Rich

After reading several horror stories where all common sense goes out the window, I would counsel to choose your numbers wisely. If you randomly choose a series of numbers and letters and some overzealous Customs agent for some reason chooses to run the number through NCIC (as was reported a couple of years ago)and gets a match, you may get in dutch for possession of a stolen firearm.

Previous posts on AR have shown that just because the firearm description is entirely different - the number trumps all in the mind of a bureaucrat!

As a matter of fact you can use your name for a serial number on a custom built weapon. Gary Reeder does it all of the time on his own custom built revolver actions. Of course, if the gun already has a S/N it can't be done. If I wanted a S/N of "Woody 007" that would be no problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Bahati:

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Would just my name engraved on the receiver work or would it “need” to be an ID “number”?

No, put you initials and some numerig digits, eg A393X

Do not use Z and 2, O and 0, S and 5, 1 and I, B or 8, etc as these get screwed up on permits all too often. Use only uppercase characters and numeric digits that can not be confused or misinterpreted. And no spaces or special characters. (Eg OS5105S - is a BAD number ...)

quote:

If I have my GS “stamp” a number/name on it will it damage the bluing?

Not really. Keep it small and short - eg "WR93X" A GS that knows his stuff will tap it in in no time with no damage.

Excellent advice.