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1911 frame serial#

geeguy
I purchased a group of gun parts at an estate sale, most appear to be for guns made 1921-1950. In the group was a 1911 frame (which was great to find)in about a 60% completed form, no name, no serial number.
My question.
If I complete machining on this frame and build the gun into a full 1911 or maybe a Marvel kit, how do I get a proper serial number so the gun is legal.
Or am I required to destroy this frame "because" it has no existing number? I don't want to do anything questionable and will destroy it if I need to.

Any help on the subject would be appreciated.
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Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    I don't know about your state law, but federal law permits you (with a few limitations) to build a firearm for your own use. It can never be transferred (i.e., pass through an FFL or C&R), but you & those close to you can use it forever. It doesn't have to have a serial #, but ATF suggests that you apply one; if I were you, I'd use GEEGUY1.

    As for the feasibility..........unless you are a master machinist, & have a copy of plans or an existing frame to duplicate, I think that it will be an exercise in futility. Of course, you would first want to check the hardness of your frame; remember, you have no idea who made the frame, so quality is very suspect.

    Neal
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  • geeguy
    Thanks for the information. We have a full machine shop where I work and I have built a 1911 already from an 80% frame and have the proper plans. Steel hardness needs to be checked which I can do here. I've got time and would like to do this as a "project". I also already have an old Colt slide (excellent condition) and extra target barrel and bushing, so I'll assign a number and give it a try.

    I would have cried to have cut up the frame, but would have done it if I had to.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello you can apply to BATF for a serial # I would use as a frame for Marvel conversion as this would put almost no load on the frame and rockwell hardness would not come into play Marvels shoot great also springfield sells reject frames each year at camp perry most have small voids as they are cast not foraged.
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