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When did it become a requirement to mark firearms imported into the US ?


Mike

When US supplied fireams to other countries were brought back into the US

The Gun Control Act of 1968 required that imported firearms have the name and location of the importer on the firearm.

If someone had one that was made prior to 1968, would they be required to have it marked?

Yes. Marked by the importer, if imported after 1968, even if made before 1968. That is my understanding.

it has nothing to do with when it was made, it is when it was imported. even then it is only for import. once it is owned by a private individual you can remove the import marks. It can't be done by a gunsmith, FFL, or importer. Only the serial number can't be touched (by the private owner).....everything else is fair game by the private owner.....pretty easy to "pull the wool over someone's eyes" as to if the firearm is import marked or not......that's why i always repeat the mantra (in my head) "buy the gun not the story" when i am looking at potentially collectible pieces. proof is in paperwork.

advntrjnky

ETA: Keep in mind that military surplus firearms were banned from import into the US from the 1968 Act until opened up again by Reagan in 1986 by the Firearm Owner Protection Act

Some import stamps are pretty hard to see sometimes. I handled
an Arisaka once that OYSTER BAY stamped on the barrel in very
small print.

What if there is no serial number, or import marks? Just the manufacturer and the country. No other markings at all.

serial numbers weren't required until the 1968 Act, as well as import marks. All i can say is do your research. it could be completely OK, or illegal....all depends on the date of manufacture and import. Even then there may be exceptions. individuals and FFL holders can "import" single firearms (non-military). it may have been brought in legally as a single piece and not been marked. you're being vague. so, make sure you do your own research.

advntrjnky

It is a commercial FN Mauser action, purchased new in 1962, from the importers of FN and Sako rifles and actions. I don't know who they were at the time, but the name, FN, and Made in Belgium are the only markings on it.

The barrel has Douglas and 7 MM stamped on it, but I put the barrel on myself.

I don't know who else to research it with. The people on this forum are pretty knowledgeable, and I was hoping someone would know for sure. I don't know of any place else to research it, but it was legal when I purchased it from the importer.

I have handled FN Mausers and BSA rifles that did not have
serial numbers. Most Remington Rolling Block rifles dont
have numbers either.

There will be a number stampped on the bottum of the action.
I have a pre 68 FN action and the number is behind the recoil lug

FN Mauser, made in 1962 (pre-1968), needs no import markings. What is your question?

Some importers mark the guns in an inconspicuous location (like under barrel and cleaning rod); others do so in a very conspicuous location (like the receiver or sidewall).

The number on the pre 68 Mauser is not an import mark, it is a serial number

The importmark is typically stamped on the barrel near the front sight

They can be found on Garands, MI carbines, etc, brought into the country from Korea, Etc.

Got a Mauser 98 sold by SOG as a 7mm with an import stamp from CIA stamped 8mm. Go figure.

Slightly off topic, but I had my eye on a pretty custom
Mauser 1893 and was thinking about buying it a couple of
weeks ago and discovered it was a 8x57mm, not a 7x57mm.