I recently purchased a commercial FN. Signed the paperwork yata yata yata. Get home, puller out of the stock to start checking things out and lo and behold no serial number anywhere! I left a message with my dealer asking how they managed to do a transfer with no serial number and have yet to get a response.

Is this something common?

Not uncommon.

Just put "NSN" on forms where it asks for serial number. Lots and lots of firearms made before 1968 do not have serial numbers.

I also have an FN without any serial number. I have heard that they came into the country as bare actions.

Rad

HOw do you take one of the non-serial numbered rifles overseas (say to South Africa or Zimbabwe) to hunt with respect to gun permits?

quote:

Originally posted by whb309:
HOw do you take one of the non-serial numbered rifles overseas (say to South Africa or Zimbabwe) to hunt with respect to gun permits?

I believe these rifles usually have a number somewhere that can be used as a serial number, even if it is not an actual serial number(something such as cartridge designation on the barrel).

I think it might be difficult to have a serial number issued, but that would be the safest option.

Have a similar situation and upon inquiry from dealer friend, he sees this from time to time and they merely register as N/A as mentioned. Was told that you can speak with the ATF and explain and they will assign a S/N if you want.

It would be surprising if ATF can "assign" a serial number on a Class 1 rifle as there is no registration in the US and they don't have a database of serial numbers like they do for the Class 3 stuff.

It is legal for an individual (one who does not have a manufacturing license) to build a rifle from scratch in his gargage and there is no legal requirement for it to have a serial number but most insurance companies would require it for a claim. If you build a gun from scratch you can put a serial number on it but there is no provision for you to "register" it because there is no registration in the US.

If it were an NFA/Class 3 weapon you can build it (except machine guns) on a Form 1 and that serial number will be registered in the ATF's NFA database just as if it were from a licensed manfacturer.

Now the legal stuff, I am not a lawyer and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, although the above info is from my personal experience with the ATF do not take it as legal advice. Having dealt with ATF on a number of occasions I would suggest asking them the question and then call a different office and ask the same question. I'm betting you'll get 2 different answers.

The ATF has stated that removing any part of a firearm that is serialized would constitute defacing the serial number. To explain...

In the previous example, if you had a mauser where the only serial number was on the barrel and removed the barrel without marking the reciever you would be "removing" the serial number.

This started being an issue when guys were taking AK's and rebuilding them. The receiver had no serial number, but the front trunnion they removed did.

I cannot cite any paperwork... but I did talk this over with my agent last time and I was told to mark the receiver with the original serial number.

The Atf does have a serial number "database" of sorts. They keep track of what serial numbers manufacturers and importers use.

Also, if you build a firearm for private use, you are not required to mark it with anything. However, should you wish to sell it you are required to mark it with your information.

It is some kind of logic to register a firearm
with no serial number ???
good luck!

I did not mean ANY serial numbered part, rather I should have worded it that if there is ONLY one serial numbered part (in that example the barrel) then that serial number constitutes the firearms serial number.

According to the ATF removing the serial numbered trunnion would be like defacing or removing the serial number from the receiver. You would first be required to impart that number onto the receiver.

I will see if I can find the letter from the ATF I saved concerning this issue. I do not know if it made the transfer from my old computer, but if I can find it I will post it.