Removing importer's stamp?

[Clipper]

I'm currently beginning a radical sporterization of a hex reciever Mosin-Nagant, and I might like to surface grind & polish the flats for a better finish to the reblue, but if it has the light markings and numbers from the importer on it, it will likely be removed. Would I be in violation of something?

 

[pbratton]

More than likely...

 

[KsThumper]

18 U.S.C. § 922 : US Code - Section 922: Unlawful acts

(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to 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 or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

 

[tyeo098]

Can the OP buy a letter stamp kit and stamp the markings in harder or on another location?

EDIT: With these: http://www.harborfreight.com/36-piece-1-8-eighth-inch-steel-letter-number-stamping-set-800.html

been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Heh. Just to be sure.

 

[dprice3844444]

or a trophy shop

 

[henschman]

The posted law doesn't prohibit removing an import stamp... just the serial number.

 

[Clipper]

Well see, the manufacturer numbered the gun when it was produced, but the importer (century, in the case of my other M-N sporter) added their own numbers, but the lettering is really shallow, hardly more than etching. I guess I was hoping that as the end purchaser, I might not be obligated to keep both sets of numbers intact and could get away with the Russian serial number only, since there are M-Ns that were not double numbered...

 

[mgkdrgn]

Well see, the manufacturer numbered the gun when it was produced, but the importer (century, in the case of my other M-N sporter) added their own numbers, but the lettering is really shallow, hardly more than etching. I guess I was hoping that as the end purchaser, I might not be obligated to keep both sets of numbers intact and could get away with the Russian serial number only, since there are M-Ns that were not double numbered...

By law, the number put on by the importer (again, by law) -is- THE serial number so far as the BATFE is concerned.

Remove, alter and/or deface it at your peril.

 

[zxcvbob]

Check with the ATF about relocating the import serial number. It can be done (there are procedures for restamping a gun with a damaged SN) but you want to do it right.

Best bet is to leave it alone.