Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters "ATF" Serial Number on Rifle

I am a FFL holder and just received an older Sako rifle from another FFL holder. The rifle does not have the serial number or action model stamped on the left side of the receiver. It is smooth with nice bluing as if it was never even stamped. On the right side of the receiver it has a serial number starting with "ATF" followed by several numbers. This serial looks to be professionally done by a laser engraver of some kind. I am not familiar with this type of serial as I have never seen one. Can anyone give me any insight on it?

Thanks!

It sounds just like an older Husky I have. Originallly had no s/n, but was engraved by ATF when I wanted to take it out of the country.

There is an answer to your specific question in a Rifleman but I could not find it.
Here is something close from Ed Harris

Serial Number Obliteration
The American Rifleman
October 1977


If, when installing a side mount for a scope sight on a rifle receiver, such as the Ruger Mini-14, the serial number is covered up. is this a violation of GCA '68? Can the number be restamped elsewhere on the rifle to make it legal? What if one or more digits are rendered unreadable by drilling the mount screw holes?

Answser: According to the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco and Firearms Department of Scientific and Technical Services, it is a violation of Section 922(k) of Title I of the Gun Control Act of 1968 for any person to knowingly transport, ship, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated or altered.

BATF recognized that technical limitations imposed by the design of certain firearms and scope mounts might make it necessary to cover the serial number. The mere act of placing a scope mount over the serial number would not constitute a violation. A gunsmith may wish to restamp the serial number on an exposed area of the receiver. However, for purposes of positive identification, the original serial number must remain intact and accessible.

If the original serial number is obliterated during the drilling and tapping operation, positive identification of a stolen or misused firearm would be impossible. If such a firearm were subsequently moved in interstate commerce, the owner could be placed in violation of Section 922(k) in the cited statute. Even if a duplicate serial number were stamped on the firearm, it would be extremely difficult to prove that the new serial did, in fact, duplicate the original serial number.

Persons fitting scope mounts to firearm receivers must exercise extreme care to insure the original manufacturer's serial number is not obliterated. If installation of a particular brand of scope mount requires drilling holes through the serial number, and alternate type should be selected.

If an individual is in possession of any firearm having an indecently obliterated serial number, he should contact the nearest ATF Field Office and arrange to have an ATF serial number assigned to the firearm.-C.E.H.

The ATF number stamped on the frame wouldn't be the original Sako number as it is too long. I really don't think it was ever stamped with a serial at all from Sako. I think the last sentence above sums it up. I think it was just given a serial by the ATF since it was shipped to the US with no serial.

I have seen FN Mauser rifles and actions without serial numbers

I have an FN Mauser that has no serial number. I also have a Husqvarna FN style Mauser that has the serial number on the barrel. Should I rebarrel that rifle, there will be no serial number.
IIRC, prior to that abortion called the 1968 gun control act, there was no law stating the a firearm was required to have a serial number. Might have been a requirement for handguns as I've never seen one that did not have a number. Look how many old .22's still around that have no number.
Paul B.

I saw a copy of Webley revolver last week and it didnt have serial numbers, caliber, or manufacturer on it. Very old gun.

When a firearm exists that was manufactured without a serial number you can contact ATF and the Secretary will give you a serial number for the firearm.

I can help you out. I own a rifle that now has a new serial assigned by the ATF. It also starts with "ATF". It's a Remington 700 that had an aluminum sleeve pinned and epoxied around it. An old benchrest rifle. I took it to a local machine shop to turn the sleeve off because it was blind pinned in place. Anyway, they took off too much and turned off the serial number and the "Remington 700" markings. I contacted the local BATF office and reported it. I didn't have the original serial number. After about a week, they assigned a new serial number and gave me a letter allowing me to get it marked. There's a local company called A & A Engraving that does a lot of commeratives for a bunch of gun companies. They fixed it up nearly as good as new. Hope that helps.

Bob