M1 Carbine info

[cmshoot]

It will be easy to see if the serial number was removed, vs was never there.

Additionally, for inventory and control purposes, I do believe that all US military small arms are serial numbered. Even during the Civil War they were numbered. You can’t tell who a weapon belongs to otherwise, and that’s kind of a Big Deal in the military.

My research shows that all USGI M1 Carbines were marked with a serial number during the manufacturing process for the receiver, and before assembly.

Serial number blocks were assigned by the Ordnance Department on an as needed basis, generally in response to the awarding of a contract to a given manufacturer. Think of each serial number block as a separate contract. Each time a contract for the M1 Carbine was awarded, the Ordnance Department issued that manufacturer a block or group of serial numbers. Those serial numbers are part of the contract, and having the serial number marked on the weapon is a requirement of the contract. An M1 Carbine with no serial number would not pass inspection by the Ordnance Department.

This Carbine had a serial number at one time, and now it does not. This places OP in a position where he could be in trouble criminally, both at the State and Federal levels. I agree that it’s a bunch o’ crap, but let’s not be giving him “advice” that could land him in jail on felony charges, as well as fines and fees. I guarantee the cost of fighting all that, even if you win, would be far more than the cost of an unmolested, collector-grade M1 Carbine.

 

[palmettomoon]

cmshoot said, "Additionally, for inventory and control purposes, I do believe that all US military small arms are serial numbered."

This is correct.


"I agree that it’s a bunch o’ crap, but let’s not be giving him “advice” that could land him in jail on felony charges, as well as fines and fees. "

This is exactly why I said "Good Lord! Do NOT do that! (in regards taking it to the police)
The OP will be asking for trouble as most cops are ignorant ****s who think they know the law and will act on bad information in order to "make a case." The po-leece ain't your friends.

 

[cmshoot]

cmshoot said, "Additionally, for inventory and control purposes, I do believe that all US military small arms are serial numbered."

This is correct.


"I agree that it’s a bunch o’ crap, but let’s not be giving him “advice” that could land him in jail on felony charges, as well as fines and fees. "

This is exactly why I said "Good Lord! Do NOT do that! (in regards taking it to the police)
The OP will be asking for trouble as most cops are ignorant ****s who think they know the law and will act on bad information in order to "make a case." The po-leece ain't your friends.

As someone who has been in law enforcement for 30 years now, you are wrong. I’m currently a police Captain.

We have folks turn in illegal items to us all the time. We are set up for it, and do it regularly. I have never heard of a citizen being charged for bringing an illegal item to get rid of it in good faith.

I’ve seen items turned in such as hand grenades, explosives, belt-fed machine guns (a still in the shipping crate original M60), illegal pornography, drugs, etc. No charges for the person turning them in. A brief report, taken into property/evidence, and eventually routed to the appropriate agency where applicable.

 

[cmshoot]

cmshoot said, "Additionally, for inventory and control purposes, I do believe that all US military small arms are serial numbered."

This is correct.


"I agree that it’s a bunch o’ crap, but let’s not be giving him “advice” that could land him in jail on felony charges, as well as fines and fees. "

This is exactly why I said "Good Lord! Do NOT do that! (in regards taking it to the police)
The OP will be asking for trouble as most cops are ignorant ****s who think they know the law and will act on bad information in order to "make a case." The po-leece ain't your friends.

Since I’m a Captain, that would make me a Senior Ignorant ****, who REALLY thinks he knows the law, and who has made a lot of cases on bad info to get where I’m at now.

Why am I not making a case out of this? I have enough information of the OP and the situation to get the ball rolling on an investigation with the appropriate local/county/state LE agencies. I know how to look up the phone number for the ATF and give them a call.

I haven’t done any of that. Instead I’m giving the OP the information he needs to handle this issue with the least amount of hassle and legal issues.

 

[Nathaniel Brown]

If I was the OP, I'd delete all comments that mentioned the SN in question and just enjoy my historic firearm....

 

[palmettomoon]

Since I’m a Captain, that would make me a Senior Ignorant ****, who REALLY thinks he knows the law, and who has made a lot of cases on bad info to get where I’m at now.

Why am I not making a case out of this? I have enough information of the OP and the situation to get the ball rolling on an investigation with the appropriate local/county/state LE agencies. I know how to look up the phone number for the ATF and give them a call.

I haven’t done any of that. Instead I’m giving the OP the information he needs to handle this issue with the least amount of hassle and legal issues.

You are the exception rather than the rule?

 

[palmettomoon]

If I was the OP, I'd delete all comments that mentioned the SN in question and just enjoy my historic firearm....

I'd tear it down, sell the parts and destroy the receiver. Maybe turn in the receiver to be destroyed if you can get to where cmshoot works.

 

[BHPSteel]

I'd tear it down, sell the parts and destroy the receiver. Maybe turn in the receiver to be destroyed if you can get to where cmshoot works.

Because if you turn it in as-is, you're not going to get any value out of it at all.

 

[Nathaniel Brown]

I'd tear it down, sell the parts and destroy the receiver. Maybe turn in the receiver to be destroyed if you can get to where cmshoot works.

To each their own, but I prefer the ungoverned route. No sense in destroying history over an arbitrary law that I didn't vote for in the first place. I wouldn't parade the rifle around, but I wouldn't be scared to own it.

 

[WFO62]

There are lots of WWI and WWII weapons that i have observed in my over 40 years of collecting that have had the serial # destroyed...as people got worried that they had US Property weapons and the Govt. at some point in time would come looking for them... and don't forget the LUNCHBOX weapons ... as they are coined... the workers at plants smuggled out blank receiver and all parts and built guns off the line and took home ... it did happen and I have seen such guns... they do exist...