How do you trace a firearm serial number

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

I have a sharps replica in 45/70 that i wanted to sell. had someone interested but then they backed out saying that it did not have the make model information on it so they could not buy it. I have the serial number and i know what it is but how do i go about getting proof that this is X rifle imported on Y date by Z company with serial number XXXXX.

A former law enforcement friend said just contact the local sheriff office and they can trace it for you. I did and they said that they only do that if it has been involved in a crime.

Not that i know of. I just need to get proof that this rifle is X. Then i want to take that information to a gun smith and have them put the make and model back on the barrel. For whatever reason when this
rifle barrel was changed they did not put that information on it.

How do i go about tracing the serial number on my rifle?

leadslinger972 · May 15, 2018

Are you saying you have a rifle without a serial number marked on the rifle?

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

i have the serial number - i do not have the make/model - that was on the barrel which was apparently trash and thrown away when the barrel was changed out.

leadslinger972 · May 15, 2018

Clarification helps. You're not concerned with the serial number, you're trying to find the make and model of the firearm.

In that case, you would need to contact the ATF.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-tracing-center

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

Dont you have to be Law enforcement or FFL to use that?

leadslinger972 · May 15, 2018

jedmoulton said:
Dont you have to be Law enforcement or FFL to use that?

In order to submit a trace request, yes. However, calling the local ATF will direct you on what you can do.

You may want to post a photo here, as some members are knowledgeable about older firearms.

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

i spoke with a very nice agent who informed me that tracing a firearm through the ATF is limited to LEO conducting a criminal investigation. I have the importer information - i just need to run them down and request a records search. Thanks for the info leadslinger972

SpeedRacer · May 15, 2018

There can't be that many manufacturers of those, post some pics and the first few digits of the serial number and I'm sure someone can help identify the make/model.

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

Here are some pictures

Serial # 393xx
Manufacturer IAB
Model Sharps Reproduction

Type Rifle

Gauge 45-70 Government

Import : SILE NEW YORK, N.Y.

I am looking for contact information on the manufacturer - it should be industria armi bresciane. Not sure if they are still in business or if they were purchased.

You can still get parts from places like Numrich so maybe????

RaleighReloader · May 15, 2018

This is a percussion cap rifle, right? If that's the case, then ATF considers it an "antique firearm".

I'm not sure if this matters to your buyer, but the transfer of this weapon is much less regulated than the transfer of a true "firearm." You can mail order these and have them shipped to your home, in the same way that you can buy an air gun.

Mike

jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

It's actually converted to fire brass center fire cartridges and has had the barrel replaced with a match grade bull barrel.

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leadslinger972 · May 15, 2018

Well, it looks like someone also hacked off the saddle ring and added a creedmoor sight.

If I had to take a guess, this is how it started:

sandman7925 · May 15, 2018

I have one similar imported by armsport and I tried but was unable to figure out who made it. There have been numerous italian companies that made sharps replicas over the years. Some of which aren’t around anymore.

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jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

That is a Soule long-range Tang sight. The front is a p f series site it has the interchangeable inserts option it was originally a replica Cavalry rifle

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jedmoulton · May 15, 2018

Which is my problem the company that imported it I believe was siwell and they're not in business anymore so I probably can't find the information that I'm looking for

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BRgunner · May 16, 2018

I have somewhat of a similar question,i saw a gun i would like to purchace from a private owner,how can i make sure the gun isn't stolen?...i dont know the seller personally and he said he got the gun in a trade a while back...would my local PD or sheriffs office run the SN# for me or can a FFL run the SN# and check to make sure the gun has never been reported stolen?.

jedmoulton · May 16, 2018

The ATF will only run a serial number check if they suspect the gun has been used in committing a crime only law enforcement can access ATF records if you want to know you're going to have to trace it yourself get the serial number make model manufacturer an importer if it's imported contact the Importer and they can give you the first buyer it might cost but if they're still in business they should have the records

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jedmoulton · May 16, 2018

Like for example the Importer of the gun I'm trying to trace down is no longer in business the ATF would have sales records but those records are only available to law enforcement personnel I'm trying to contact the manufacturer but I'm not sure if they're still in business so essentially I can't find the import records

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ozarkpugs · May 16, 2018

BRgunner said:
I have somewhat of a similar question,i saw a gun i would like to purchace from a private owner,how can i make sure the gun isn't stolen?...i dont know the seller personally and he said he got the gun in a trade a while back...would my local PD or sheriffs office run the SN# for me or can a FFL run the SN# and check to make sure the gun has never been reported stolen?.

They can and our Sherrifs office will do it but yours may not depends on if they want to be civil servants or jerks . They will either warn you if it is stolen you will have to give it up and tell where you got it .

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charlie12 · May 16, 2018

ozarkpugs said:
They can and our Sherrifs office will do it but yours may not depends on if they want to be civil servants or jerks . They will either warn you if it is stolen you will have to give it up and tell where you got it .

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And some LEO's don't want to break laws

How do you trace a firearm serial number

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