Rifle without serial no.

20 February 2016, 04:02

Have an old P F Sedgley I inherited. Was thinking to take it on a trip and realized it has no serial number visable. I can't remember if there was something under the stock when I took it apart when I first got it, but that wouldn't help much at the airport any way. What to do?

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20 February 2016, 07:47

cal pappas

It MUST have a serial number.
The number MUST be on a 4457 form.
As others have said, have a gunsmith engrave or stamp the number, any number on the barrel and action. Then, get the 4457 for international travel.
Cal

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23 February 2016, 00:40

eny

Thanks guys, going to have it put on the action this week, fiber optic front sight, work up some loads. If I can shoot peep sight adequately at 100 yards, then off across the pond we go!

23 February 2016, 03:00

npd345

they sure didn't look for one on the barrel on the Ruger No 1 I took over

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Carney:
As I recall, South Africa wants th s/n on both the action and the barrel.

Regards

The only easy day is yesterday!

23 February 2016, 04:42

twoseventy

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
Legally you can't just put the serial number on the gun. There are proper channels you have to go through.

Peg, can you cite the statute addressing your statement? That would be a big change for those of us who have numbered personal property for years.

Thanks, Tom Van Diepen

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23 February 2016, 06:45

sheephunterab

quote:
Originally posted by Matt Graham:
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Carney:
As I recall, South Africa wants th s/n on both the action and the barrel.

Regards
No.

If the action and barrel both have serial numbers they do want them, especially when bringing more than one barrel for a rifle like the Blaser. If your barrel has no serial number then n/a is acceptable. If it has a serial number make sure you include it.

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23 February 2016, 08:59

eagle27

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
Legally you can't just put the serial number on the gun. There are proper channels you have to go through.

So the authorities around the world keep registers on hand to check your firearm number against?
Just don't arrive at the border with two rifles having the same serial number that's all.

23 February 2016, 16:34

p dog shooter

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
Legally you can't just put the serial number on the gun. There are proper channels you have to go through.

Not in the States their are millions of pre 1968 arms with no serial numbers on them you can add one any time place you want to.

Let alone the many self manufactured guns out their.

23 February 2016, 18:23

Pegleg

I guess we will have to agree to dis-agree. What happens if you pick a number that has already been chosen?
There are guide lines about putting serial numbers on firearms. Look it up.
I suggest you contact your local ATF office.

The only easy day is yesterday!

23 February 2016, 19:17

sheephunterab

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
I guess we will have to agree to dis-agree. What happens if you pick a number that has already been chosen?

There are loads of firearms out there from mainstream manufacturers with the same serial numbers.

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23 February 2016, 20:18

Matt Norman

As sheephunterab said, there are many, many replicating serial numbers out there on firearms. It's not unusual when LEO's run a serial number of a gun to have a half dozen pop up as stolen; different brands, different models, different calibers usually.

Pick a six digit number with your initials incorporated into it and have it professionally engraved. You are probably the only kid on the block with that type of firearm anyway.

Now, removing/defacing an existing serial number from a firearm and putting a new one on is an entirely different matter (very bad ju-ju)

24 February 2016, 14:03

Barry Groulx

I once had an old musket that was licensed under the regimental number stamped on it. Today, custom gunmakers offer custom serial numbers as part of the package, but one thing to bear in mind would be that in the 'States usually the receiver is the numbered component, and in some African countries the barrel is - but for visiting that shouldn't be a problem.

How does having a number affixed affect collectors' value if any?

24 February 2016, 17:07

p dog shooter

quote:
I guess we will have to agree to dis-agree. What happens if you pick a number that has already been chosen? There are guide lines about putting serial numbers on firearms. Look it up.I suggest you contact your local ATF office.

As said there are a lot of duplicate serial numbers out. I would run into that when I was on the job when I would check a fire arm as stolen.

Make model caliber and some times owner applied numbers made the different.

28 February 2016, 23:21

Texas Blue Devil

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
I guess we will have to agree to dis-agree. What happens if you pick a number that has already been chosen?
There are guide lines about putting serial numbers on firearms. Look it up.
I suggest you contact your local ATF office.

Peg,

You are just wrong on this. Do you think there is some great big book somewhere in the federal government that has all the serial numbers ever put on rifles, shotguns and pistols.

Custom gun makers use what ever they want for s/n. I've seen rifles with a bible versus s/n and couple others that used birthdays. Once in Namibia there was a hunter in front of us with S/N that was KC23MINN7. In case you are not a football fan, the score of the 1970 Superbowl was Kansas City 23 Minnesota 7. The hunter's father or grandfather was a player or coach that KC team. He had no problems getting his rifle into Namibia.

As long as there is a permanent identifier for a government official to put on a 4457, you will be fine.

31 March 2016, 20:40

Atkinson

One serial number on the action is required world wide. Many English guns have it on the trigger guard. Like all have said just have your gunsmith stamp one on it...Custom rifle builders do that all the time. I have them also lightly stamp it on the steel butt plate, so I don't have to take them out of the Tuff case..I have even printed them with a magic marker on the recoil pad and never had that questioned as long as it was the same as the form4457...If they ever ask I'll tell it is for your convience...

Pegleg, I have to disagree, and no I won't call ATF, why open a can of worms with them..BTW there are many duplications on firearms, so I ask you what difference would that make, the action in question is the only one that counts under any circumstances.