Import Marks - Can they be removed?

[circuitspore]

So....I'm a noob, so take it easy if this is a big 'no-no', but is it possible to remove an import mark? If it is possible, is it legal?

I know some import marks are relatively tiny, but I've been looking at several different types of surplus army/police pistols, and some of them have really big, really ugly import marks. If one was to have the pistol refinished, could the import mark be removed/filled/something?

Just curious.....

 

[EOD Guy]

As far as Federal law is concerned, it is legal to remove them. However, State laws may vary, so check first.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

That's not my understanding, EOD Guy. You may use cold bluing to touch up the edges or the electropenciling, but as with serial numbers you may not remove an import mark.

Now here's where it gets funky.

Import marks didn't always get put onto the receiver, which according to BATFE IS the gun. So if it's on the barrel, by changing the barrel you have legally removed the mark.

In some cases, the gun itself makes for some funny results. The Mosin Nagant M91 and its offspring have all of their significant markings, proofs, serial numbers and crests on the barrel, not the receiver. The underside of the receiver has a few insignificant markings. If the import mark and new serial number are placed on the receiver, you may switch out the receiver (which BATFE deems the gun) for a new receiver and retain all of the historical markings and serial numbers on your gun.

 

[expvideo]

If it is possible, is it legal?

Anything is possible. Far less things are legal. I don't know if it is legal, but a good rule of thumb is that if it was put there under federal law, leave it there. That's my recommendation.

 

[rbernie]

As far as I understand things, imported firearms are required to be stamped by the importer but, like mattress tags, the stamp can be removed by the consumer because there is no retention requirement in the CFR. However, if overly eager type in law enforcement encounter a weapon that has had the import mark removed, they may seize it under the premise that it might have been illegally imported. Proving that it was legally imported may be a very arduous affair in the absence of said mark.

I would recommend leaving the import marks intact if at all possible. If it's not possible, I would proactively contact the importer and ask for some record that your S/N was legally imported; they should be able to provide the permit info and the Firearms Disposition Record that was used for the importation. They probably won't want to, but they have the ability to do so.

 

[USSR]

As far as I understand things, imported firearms are required to be stamped by the importer but, like mattress tags, the stamp can be removed by the consumer because there is no retention requirement in the CFR.

Exactly. Once the original importer makes the sale, the marks are irrelevent.

Don

 

[CWL]

Gun refinishers such as Fords, Metalloy, and Tripps offer removal of ugly import stamps and roll marks as part of their service. They will also remove serial numbers off of the slide if you want it. As long as the frame retains the s/n, you should be fine. everything else on a pistol is only considered "parts".

 

[Big Matt]

"However, if overly eager type in law enforcement encounter a weapon that has had the import mark removed, they may seize it under the premise that it might have been illegally imported. Proving that it was legally imported may be a very arduous affair in the absence of said mark."

These statements lead me to a question: How common is it for law enforcement personnel (maybe ATF, but certainly not your neighborhood Barney Fife) to truly know enough about military surplus (C&R firearms, etc, etc) to actually look for, recognize, and interpret import marks; and if so to actually expect to do anything about a gun that invariably is over 50 years old?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Don't like "Blue Sky" on your carbine or Garand?

 

[EOD Guy]

That's not my understanding, EOD Guy.

I have a letter from BATF Hq that says it's ok for the end user to remove the import mark.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Works for me, EOD. I've seen regulations and commentary from field agents to the contrary, but if you've got your letter, you're all set barring a change.

 

[jerkface11]

If you remove the import mark they have NO way to know it ever had one. So it could have simply been imported before the marks were required. Plus how many cops are gonna look for the CAI mark on the thing.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

A beat cop would not. A detective or a federal agent would bring them up with acid, same as they do with serial numbers. But again, EOD has a letter. Love to see a redacted version posted.

 

[jerkface11]

Acid wouldn't raise electro pencil markings. Only stampings.