No Serial Number Can I Sell

I inherited an old 30-40 Krag a while back. It had an old scope mounted that covered up the left side of the receiver and prevented the bolt from being removed. As part of dismantling, inspecting, and cleaning the rifle, I took a couple of pics that might help you find the serial number.
 

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Make sure you look well for markings, some are just hidden well. Some importers will do their best to hide them so they cannot be seen in an attempt to keep them original looking. If it never came with a serial number you are good to transfer by federal/ATF but you need to check your local laws. Do not call the ATF, you will get an IOI and they usually give opinion rather than fact (as an FFL I have numerous real world instances of IOI's giving incorrect info). If you really want to know look up the regs yourself. If you want to use the ATF's advice get it in writing so you are covered.
 
I inherited an old 30-40 Krag a while back. It had an old scope mounted that covered up the left side of the receiver and prevented the bolt from being removed. As part of dismantling, inspecting, and cleaning the rifle, I took a couple of pics that might help you find the serial number.
Jeff, whomever mounted your scope obliterated the first 2 to 3 digits of your serial number another bad thing to do in the eyes of the BATFE. I had put the holes and the base in a place that was legal to do so. A Chinese SKS came in for a scope mounting. I could not legally drill through the serial number. Also you can not obscure the serial number so if the base covers the serial number it is also illegal.
 
lots of good information here, BUT!
according to the ATF any gun that was issued a SN from the manufacturer cannot have it removed. Since all Krag rifles had them (to the best of my knowledge) I would say it's illegal and could cause you an issue.
A lot of rifles were built without a S/N, and they are legal to sell. You can't not grind of a S/N from a firearm, that's Illegal, and you can go to jail for that. A lot of rifles have the S/N on the barrel. Changing out the barrel you would loose the S/N. Some are stamp on the action and barrel, but not all.
 
Tha
A lot of rifles were built without a S/N, and they are legal to sell. You can't not grind of a S/N from a firearm, that's Illegal, and you can go to jail for that. A lot of rifles have the S/N on the barrel. Changing out the barrel you would loose the S/N. Some are stamp on the action and barrel, but not all.
That's pretty much what i said. If it came with it, it cannont be removed.
The barrel SN isn't in the same discussion because it's not recognized as a SN, Because it's not on the part of the firearm that is considered the Firearm.
 
Tha

That's pretty much what i said. If it came with it, it cannont be removed.
The barrel SN isn't in the same discussion because it's not recognized as a SN, Because it's not on the part of the firearm that is considered the Firearm.

"Because it's not on the part of the firearm that is considered the Firearm" ... That brings up a question I have long had. Why is the lower of an AR15, the part that holds the trigger, the stock. the magazine, and the upper thingy considered a firearm and not the part that holds the bolt. the barrel, and responsible for chambering the round.

Just asking for a friend.
 
"Because it's not on the part of the firearm that is considered the Firearm" ... That brings up a question I have long had. Why is the lower of an AR15, the part that holds the trigger, the stock. the magazine, and the upper thingy considered a firearm and not the part that holds the bolt. the barrel, and responsible for chambering the round.

Just asking for a friend.
Because that's what the BATF said... 🙄 I'm being both serious and and intending a bit of a joke.

I've read arguments on this and if I remember correctly an attorney got a felon making guns off a while back with that as part of the defense. He hadn't made an actual gun since the barrel and chamber weren't there or something to that effect. The ATF had to pick a part and the lower made the most sense I guess. The Sig P365 and the P320 are similar in that the trigger group carries the serial. Sig even sells a FCG separately so you can build your own P320.

ARs are "other" if a bare receiver or lower assembly and you need to be 21 to purchase but not restricted as a pistol unless assembled as a
"Pistol" then it's 21 and no more than one per 5 business days or a special form needs to be sent in. If assembled as a "rifle" then 18 to purchase no limit how many unless you live in a communist/socialist state the other restrictions may apply. A dealer can't even pin an upper and lower together that changes the type unless they are licensed as a manufacturer but an individual can as long as they can legally own the completed firearm. Make total sense?🥴

I look at it as we're better off not pushing things or they will just make more laws to deal with which almost certainly will be more restricting. Just learn what needs to be done to play by the rules and don't rock the boat.
 
And.... No one has suggested it would be legal to remove a serial number (other than the photo Jeff R posted of scope mounting holes drilled through a serial number which is in fact illegal even on an older pre-68 gun) only that it IS legal to transfer a gun made pre 68 without one.

I have several old S&W 65 service revolvers that are being rebuilt as custom 3" round butt carry guns. There are one or two that will have to be extremely careful with as the serial numbers can't be touched - at all!

The ATF has a procedure for a variance outlined here: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/request-marking-variance-firearms
I have an old Fox shotgun that was marked when re-imported from Canada but that was supplemental information, not a modification to the original serial number and it was made in 1912. It was made in the USA and went to Canada then was brought back to the USA shortly before I acquired it 25 or so years ago. It was marked when it came back into the country and was "imported".
 
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My 358 Norma Magnum Mauser 98 Supreme was made pre-serial number. My local FFL had no issue receiving it for me and doing the 4473 for it.
 
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