A mistake?

Snakebite · 11-10-2005, 07:44 PM

Many years ago when I was about 12 years old, my dad bought me and my brother a Stevens model 34 .22 for Christmas.
Last week we took it out and shot it. Still shoots great but it was afterwards that my brother stripped it down to clean it. Probably its first cleaning in 30 years.
Thats when he noticed something very strange about this rifle. There is no serial number anywhere on it!!! This was a brand new in the box rifle.
I also looked at it and nope, no serial number. How did this gun get out of the factory? How in the world could a dealer sell a gun with no serial number?
Of course this about 40 years ago so things may have been easier then but every gun I've ever had has some sort of a number. Really strange.

gunssb · 11-10-2005, 08:13 PM

I may be wrong but I've heard some of those economy Belgian double barrels didn't have serial #s either. Things were just different back then I guess.

Outriderdark · 11-10-2005, 10:31 PM

It's probably hidden somewhere. Alot of older rifles didn't have the numbers in obvious places. I've had a couple that had to be disassembled to see it.
Older SxS double barrel SNs are sometines on the flat near the hinge on the underside of the barrels. You have to take it apart to see it.

jerry · 11-11-2005, 06:23 AM

Before the gun controll act of 1968, firearms were not required to have S/N's.

Some MFG's did use them though.

http://www.gunlawnews.org/gca-68.html

The GCA of 1968 was passed as a delayed reaction to the assassination of President Kennedy. Also known as the "Omnibus Crime Bill and Safe Streets Act of 1968", it repealed FFA38 but reenacted provisions thereof. In the process, gun law was moved from Title 15 to Title 18 of the US Code.
GCA68 provided the following:

prohibited the interstate transfer of guns between non-FFLs,
prohibited shipping guns through the mail system,
prohibited shipping ammunition through the mail system (overturned by FOPA86),
establish of minimum ages for firearms purchasers,
require that all firearms (domestic and imported) be affixed with a serial number,
the expansion of the categories of prohibited persons,
and enacted prohibitions on the importation of firearms “with no sporting purpose.”
Implemented the Form 4473 (yellow form) for purchases.
Attempted to address "Saturday Night Specials" by prohibiting from import small handguns.
Established some sentencing guidelines for firearm involved crimes.
It did not prevent the domestic manufacture or sale of firearms which would not pass the federal criteria for determining whether a firearm has “a sporting purpose.”

The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was an amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. It expired in September 2004.

Big Dog · 11-11-2005, 07:37 AM

Prior to the '68 GCA, only the premium .22 rifles had serial numbers. It's no problem. If you buy one, the dealer simply writes "No serial number" on the paperwork.

No doubt the Liberals will use this to make the older guns illegal one fine day . . .

Snakebite · 11-11-2005, 07:10 PM

I learned something! Thanks guys. I just never saw a gun without a number on it. I can rest easier knowing it wasnt a requirement back then.

11-10-2005, 07:44 PM	#1
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,839	A mistake? Many years ago when I was about 12 years old, my dad bought me and my brother a Stevens model 34 .22 for Christmas. Last week we took it out and shot it. Still shoots great but it was afterwards that my brother stripped it down to clean it. Probably its first cleaning in 30 years. Thats when he noticed something very strange about this rifle. There is no serial number anywhere on it!!! This was a brand new in the box rifle. I also looked at it and nope, no serial number. How did this gun get out of the factory? How in the world could a dealer sell a gun with no serial number? Of course this about 40 years ago so things may have been easier then but every gun I've ever had has some sort of a number. Really strange.

11-10-2005, 10:31 PM	#3
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	It's probably hidden somewhere. Alot of older rifles didn't have the numbers in obvious places. I've had a couple that had to be disassembled to see it. Older SxS double barrel SNs are sometines on the flat near the hinge on the underside of the barrels. You have to take it apart to see it. __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

11-11-2005, 06:23 AM	#4
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,884 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Before the gun controll act of 1968, firearms were not required to have S/N's. Some MFG's did use them though. http://www.gunlawnews.org/gca-68.html The GCA of 1968 was passed as a delayed reaction to the assassination of President Kennedy. Also known as the "Omnibus Crime Bill and Safe Streets Act of 1968", it repealed FFA38 but reenacted provisions thereof. In the process, gun law was moved from Title 15 to Title 18 of the US Code. GCA68 provided the following: prohibited the interstate transfer of guns between non-FFLs, prohibited shipping guns through the mail system, prohibited shipping ammunition through the mail system (overturned by FOPA86), establish of minimum ages for firearms purchasers, require that all firearms (domestic and imported) be affixed with a serial number, the expansion of the categories of prohibited persons, and enacted prohibitions on the importation of firearms “with no sporting purpose.” Implemented the Form 4473 (yellow form) for purchases. Attempted to address "Saturday Night Specials" by prohibiting from import small handguns. Established some sentencing guidelines for firearm involved crimes. It did not prevent the domestic manufacture or sale of firearms which would not pass the federal criteria for determining whether a firearm has “a sporting purpose.” The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was an amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. It expired in September 2004. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck Last edited by jerry; 11-11-2005 at 06:32 AM.

11-11-2005, 07:37 AM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,214	Prior to the '68 GCA, only the premium .22 rifles had serial numbers. It's no problem. If you buy one, the dealer simply writes "No serial number" on the paperwork. No doubt the Liberals will use this to make the older guns illegal one fine day . . . __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

11-10-2005, 08:13 PM	#2
gunssb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,833	I may be wrong but I've heard some of those economy Belgian double barrels didn't have serial #s either. Things were just different back then I guess.

11-11-2005, 07:10 PM	#6
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,839	I learned something! Thanks guys. I just never saw a gun without a number on it. I can rest easier knowing it wasnt a requirement back then.