Parts assembled USMC Sniper clone question, sort of

[Chuckindenver]

couple things... first and foremost... altering a serial number. no matter when it was made, is a felony... its black and white on that law... if the gun had a serial, changing it is illegal. you can take 10 mins and look that up.. however, local LE , likely could care less, second.. that rifle is a Single heat treat action, as well as the bolt. , rifle is a home made example. scope itself has more value then the rest of the rifle.. even then, the screws that retain the cross hairs are boogered, scopes retail value is about 400.00, the rest is valued at the some of the parts. again, i would walk away, save your money, and buy a rifle done right. that you can enjoy and shoot, and will always hold its value

---------- Post added at 08:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 AM ----------

§ 14-160.2. Alteration, destruction, or removal of serial number from firearm; possession of firearm with serial number removed.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to alter, deface, destroy, or remove the permanent serial number, manufacturer's identification plate, or other permanent distinguishing number or identification mark from any firearm with the intent thereby to conceal or misrepresent the identity of the firearm.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to sell, buy, or be in possession of any firearm on which the permanent serial number, manufacturer's identification plate, or other permanent distinguishing number or identification mark has been altered, defaced, destroyed, or removed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting the identity of the firearm.

(c) A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be a Class H felony. (2009-204, s. 2.)

[Herschel]

Chuck,
Thanks for citing the reference to the statute. It is scary to see the amount
of misinformation that is posted on the forums, especially what is legal and illegal.

[Token]

couple things... first and foremost... altering a serial number. no matter when it was made, is a felony... its black and white on that law... if the gun had a serial, changing it is illegal.

Does that also apply to armorers, gun makers, or gunsmiths when manufacturing or remanufacturing a weapon? For example, if 70 years ago a gun maker based a new series of production on reworked recievers, or what if the military itself assigns a new serial on modification or refurbishment of a weapon? What is a felony to do today may have been legal before the current regulation was written. And isn't todays whole serial number thing based on the GCA of 1968 changes? Prior to that date no serial numbers were required although a common practice?

In the case of this receiver this number appears to be roll stamped, it does not look "home done" at all. There is actually no visible indication that the serial has been changed. However, of course, it does not match any of the existing or known serial ranges so the immediate assumption is that it might well be changed...but that is just an assumption.

As for the status of this rifle, I have already decided to pass it up. The price is only slightly higher than the cost of the scope but the whole thing is a mish-mash of parts and types. If the cost comes down significantly I might want it just for the curious factor of that receiver.

T!

[Neal Myers]

Check ATF P5300.4 (Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide) page 23. Manufacturers & importers may (or must) apply a serial number to a firearm.

Neal

[Chuckindenver]

the ATF assigns a serial number to a newly made receiver, if done by the manufacture, the law i shared has to do with changing, removing or altering a serial number.. as i said, likely local LE could care less, likely local ATF could care less about this one, however, if it was ever an issue.. that could and would likely change. on the Receiver in question, it was most likely done, many years ago, could have been part of a ROTC lot, or other controlled deal. the gun is obviously made from a pile of parts, the serial is likely original, the SF was likely added at some point. i also see a good sized gap at the edge of the receiver ring, looks like it may have been rounded at the edge, or maybe someone shimmed the shoulder.. i would check headspace before a live round was ever fired. looking at the rest of the screws in the scope that are buggered, i would suspect other hidden issues.. someone other then Hi Lux working on the scope would void any warranty that they have. with no other pictures of the stock, handguard or how well the bases were installed, its hard to tell.. again. this is a SHT receiver, and wouldnt be allowed to even be on the firing line.

[John Beard]

The serial number looks authentic, but is certainly very suspicious. I note, for example, that the serial number is not centered on the receiver ring. That is very highly unusual. I also note that the receiver has a very unusual metallurgical appearance, almost like it is not made out of steel. Until I disassembled the rifle and internally inspected it very carefully, I would be very hesitant to buy it as a shooter.

Good Luck! And stay safe!

J.B.

[Jason60chev]

This is my "Home Made" USMC sniper Replica. All components of the rifle are Springfield......Pre-War C Stock.....SA 1932 Serialed receiver......SA 5-32 Star Guaged barrel......NS bolt body......NM/Coarse butt plate. I had Bruce Dow of Dow Arms Room in Dade City, Fl ("Accuracy Spoken Here") install the barrel, drill/tap for the scope bases and fashion the hand guard. The scope is an original, late 1930s vintage Lyman Targetspot 8 PWR scope.

Attachment 111024

[browningautorifle]

"Home Made" USMC Sniper Replica

Nice looking rifle.

[ssgross]

Very good advice given so far.
Keep looking for the right rifle. CMP mixed parts rifles pop up on gun broker, and there are many here who can mount the scope correctly for you. Chuck recommends higher quality bases, but I can't recall who makes them nor find his website at the moment. No need to go after a "Bubbadone" already put together. Even with current high gun broker prices you can assemble such a rifle. Just be patient.

If that serial number is legal, I wonder if the rifle was put together from one of those receiver castings I've seen around? if so, could be very very dangerous for anything other and a wall hanger or table lamp.