What should I do when I cant find a serial number?

WIRED tactical · Feb 18, 2011

I was given an old Mossberg .22 bolt action rifle from my Uncle. (cant remember the model number at the moment) It is pretty old but I would expect it to still have a serial number somewhere on the rifle. I've looked all over the bolt, the barrel and everywhere else. The rifle was put into a hand carved stock by an unknown past owner.

So my question is if this rifle does not have a serial number: is this legal? should I have it registered somehow?

Thanks

pchewn · Feb 18, 2011

No registration is required. Do what you want (restore further, save for your collection, shoot, sell, whatever....)

PhysicsGuy · Feb 18, 2011

Firearms manufactured before the Gun Control Act weren't required to have serial numbers (although most did anyhow).

If it was manufactured before the date of the GCA, then its perfectly legal.

MarkAd · Feb 18, 2011

hate to see you worry. give it to me. Problem solved.....

deadeye · Feb 18, 2011

MarkAd said:
hate to see you worry. give it to me. Problem solved.....

It's great to see members helping members with no thought of their own well being.......

WIRED tactical · Feb 18, 2011

Haha thanks guys. And no I. Wasn't too worried about it. And no I will be keeping it. Its a nail driver.

Blitzkrieg · Feb 18, 2011

WIRED tactical said:
Haha thanks guys. And no I. Wasn't too worried about it. And no I will be keeping it. Its a nail driver.

No, no, no, no, no!

Use the right tool for the job..you're supposed to use a hammer for that!

python287 · Feb 19, 2011

Some firearms did not have serial numbers - if it is not filed off - then it is perfectly legal. And there is no reason to have it registered..

SargentMac · Feb 19, 2011

My wife's uncle has an old shotgun. He couldn't find a serial number until he took off the stock. You might try to disassemble it.

Mark W. · Feb 20, 2011

I have a Winchester Model 121 single shot .22LR and it has NO SERIAL NUMBER on it any where. I've owned maybe 5-6 other single shot .22's that did not have a Serial Number. It was a cost saving thing back in the day prior to 1968.

One-Eyed Ross · Feb 22, 2011

As others have said, old firearms didn't always have serial numbers.

Television has ruined a lot of people. Currently, there are actually very FEW states that require firearms be "registered" and Washington is NOT one of those, and I don't believe Oregon is either.

WIRED tactical · Feb 22, 2011

Ya, I meant to say: have a serial number put on it. But since I dont have to then why would I?

Technically though, aren't you registering a firearm to your name when you purchase one?

SargentMac · Feb 22, 2011

WIRED tactical said:
Ya, I meant to say: have a serial number put on it. But since I dont have to then why would I?

Technically though, aren't you registering a firearm to your name when you purchase one?

Having a gun registered and having a record of a gun purchase are small but important distinctions when it comes to guns.

Partsproduction · Feb 22, 2011

We are also allowed to make one (Maybe more, it's unclear) firearm for our own use and it requires no serial number. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I believe that as long as it's only for our own use and not sold or even given away this is legal. This may be one of those things that gets people in trouble though since most police don't know about such fine distinctions.
The reason I'm sure this is true is because of the 80% kits, there are several places selling 1911 frames and AR frames that are 80% or less finished and finishing them yourself puts you in this shadow loophole. Anyway, if it doesn't have a serial number I don't see how anyone could know your son didn't make it if you passed it on. But that would e illegal of course.