Help with Identification and possibly value ...

[Aragorn243]

I would think that the statute of limitations would have run out on this long ago IF there was anything not above board with it. Not to mention the records.

[JGaynor]

Please correct me if I am wrong, Jim, but wasn't that standardized shortly before the mishap?

Mike on 10 Jan 43 ordnance Directed Remington to stop checking for duplicate S/n's as they were no longer interested.
On 20 July checking of S/N's was started again but the procedure called for the second digit of the S/N to changed to one or two digits higher.
(This practice seems complicatred to me and probably unworkable unless the duplication was caught right after the receiver was stamped.)
On 11 Aug 43 the practice of using the "Z" preix on duplicates was resumed.

So you are right the practice was resumed a month or two before the A4 receivers in the 4,000,000 range were stamped.
(note the dates and information comes from "The '03 Springfields", Clark Campbell 1971.)

Regards,

Jim

[jmoore]

Agreed. let me expound....I would write a letter to the ATF and just explain the rifle was left to him by by his father and would like to document that he is the legal owner and have it registered in his name. Down the road, the legality becomes moot as the son is the legal owner. Might save some grief down the road when he dies and it's left to the heirs. Regards, Rick.

 

There is no national registration of firearms in the US of A! Nor, unless the rifle was was stolen and reported to CIVILIAN police would it be on the "stolen weapons" lists (NCIC).(? I can't for some reason remember the acronym right now!)

However, SRS might note it's status...

[Calif-Steve]

Do NOT under any circumstances alert ATF to anything. They will almost certainly assign this issue to a new Special Agent who will open up a case. It will be a training case and you will be a mouse in the hands of a cat. You will certainly end up losing the piece. Keep it and lay low.

[jmoore]

In the US, to find if a firearm is "hot", just arrange a visit to your local law enforcement office. They can run it there, but don't just jump out of your car w/ the weapon in hand! Let 'em know what you want first.
Pawn shops also report weapons on a daily or weekly basis, but you'll have to pawn it or sell it to them first, generally. Regular gunshops generally can't run numbers for you, but I reckon it depends on the state.

BTW,AFAIK only the US Navy actively seizes obsolete equipment that was obtained improperly. I've been in the back lot of the Naval Air Museum a few times delivering aircraft or components, and got a good close look at several seized F4F Wildcats and such that were pulled from the water w/o permission. Navy got wind of such escapades, swooped in and took them away! Apparently, there is no statute of limitations for them.

[Calif-Steve]

Guys, think this one through. You walk into you copshop and tell them "I have a stolen gun". What's next? Say good bye to the firearm. This particular case involves a firearm most likey purchased from a PDO. Paperwork most likely gone the day of purchase. Then what? Think this one through.

[musketshooter]

The army doesn't give a damn what happened to that 65 year old rifle. Don't complicate the issue. It is yours now! It is a very desirable collector's piece and you should treasure it.

[jmoore]

Guys, think this one through. You walk into you copshop and tell them "I have a stolen gun". What's next? Say good bye to the firearm. This particular case involves a firearm most likey purchased from a PDO. Paperwork most likely gone the day of purchase. Then what? Think this one through.

Well, it happens a lot around here. 99% of the time, the worried party is informed that there's no problem! Mind you, what happens in the "People's Demokratik Republik of Kalifornia" may be different, but the police here understand that most old guns have no traceable background, so if it doesn't get flagged there's no drama from the Law! Just don't phrase your inquery quite so tactlessly...

And no, the Army doesn't care, just the Navy. (We raised that question back during the recovery of some P38's and a B17. Only the one P38 got back, though... Same lack of interest for some buried P40's)

[Calif-Steve]

The State of Caliornia has been going out to old guys with gun collections. Possible suicide watch-reported by a physician. State will seize all guns and destroy within 48 hours. They rush it so the family doesn't have time to get an injuction filed. Avoid the "help" they offer. This case involves a legal firearm almost certainly legally purchased years back. Treasure it.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

...and welcome to our forum Bakermark65.