BAR RIFLE?
My great Uncle (grandfathers brother) recently passed away and my great aunt (his wife) has informed me I am to inherit a rifle of his called a Bar (sp?). I have no clue what this thing is except for the fact he's had it since WW2 and its supposedly a machine gun. I would greatly appreciate any info on this weapon and what the proper channels I must go thru to aquire it legally (they are in Tenessee I am in Nevada).
Thanks all!!
Thanks all!!
0
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B.A.R. Browning automatic rifle, Selective fire weapon that fires from a 20 round clip. Uses the 30-06 round and weighs between 18 and 20 pounds.
Someone more knowlegeble than I will be along to explain the details of transfer, but (assuming that it is regestered now) I believe you will need a class 3 FFL liscence (which isn't that hard to get in Navada). If it is NOT regestered now, your looking at about 20 years of "rock hockey" as a guest of the goverment.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Well a BAR could be one of two things, either its a browning BAR sporting/hunting rifle which is still currently produced, or a registered machinegun WWII BAR. Now either way, I'd be happy to inherit it. If its a registered machine gun, your a lucky man. If not, then u still got a fine rifle.
If its a registered machine gun here's what u need to do. Go to your local gunshops and start asking around for a liscenced Class III firearms dealer, they'll know what u mean and hopefully point u in the right direction. Then when u find the guy, tell him your situation, and start the transfer process. It will cost u a couple hundred bucks and probably take a year, but its worth it considering the rifle is worth in the upwards of 10,000 dollars or more.0 -
If its a "machinegun" like you say, then you will have to go the class III route as mentioned above. Also, the sporting versions of the BAR are not machineguns, so it sounds like you have a military gun. I have one of the semi-auto versions of this gun, and it is a hoot to shoot. Many of these guns have bipods attached to the flash hider, and a carry handle attached to the barrel above the forearm. Mine has both.
The military version 1918A2 had a selector to go from 450 rpm (rounds per minute) to 650 rpm, but was fully auto all the time. Other versions had just one rate of fire.
Originally designed by John Browning, these guns were built by Colt, Marlin, and Winchester.0 -
The BAR has gotta be one of the most interesting weapons ever made. Is it a true automatic rifle? If so, then it's one of the first ones ever built, predating the German SG44 by 24 years. It's a bit heavy for the qualification, but still... Is it a light machine gun? That's what it was used for, by the US Army in WWI, WWII, and Korea. But it has a fixed barrel, a small cap magazine, and isn't really capable of sustained fire, so it's not really qualified for the LMG title, either. The Army finally had the Minimi take its place in the 80's, but it's never really been replaced or improved on, yet its battlefield utility was unquestioned.
I always get a thrill when I see them used in a movie, like in Saving Private Ryan. Real historical.
The semi-auto civilian pattern discussed above was marketed by Colt, and named the "Monitor".0 -
Hello,
If your Great Uncle has had this since WWII its most likely a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). IF Uncle registered this piece before the 1968 Gun Control Act was implemented you will be OK. At this point, the piece is NOT important, the registration paperwork is. Make sure Auntie does not "go through his things" and dispose of the registration paperwork. She may remember him paying $200 to register it, it was a lot of money. Perhaps if it WAS registered the BATF may have a record of it and you could get a duplicate copy. In all cases, if it was registered, find a class III dealer and he can facilitate the transfer to you.
If Uncle never registered it, there is ABSOLUTLY no way to do it now. Having that piece in your posession is only good for a $10,000 fine and 10 years in jail.
Best of luck, either way you have a (+ or -) $10,000 inheritance.
Steve
Steve0 -
If this is a Class III weapon that has been legally registered by your uncle, it must remain in the possession of the executor of the estate until paperwork transferring it to you is completed by BATF. You do not have to pay for this service, nor do you need the assistance of a Class III dealer. All paperwork can be handled directly with BATF.
You would be committing a felony if you take possession of this weapon before approval by BATF.
If it is an unregistered Class III weapon, your aunt should phone BATF and arrange for it's surrender.
Neal0 -
John Browning designed the BAR to provide an automatic rifle for use during World War I. The M1918 saw service toward the end of World War I. The M1918A2, adopted by the Army in 1940, saw extensive service during World War II and Korea. The BAR used .30-06 cal. cartridges in 20-round magazines. The BAR provided an effective rate of fire of 550 spm, and proved to be a very reliable weapon during adverse operating conditions.
M1918 (1917) was selective to fire either semi- or fully-automatic. The M1918 did not have the shoulder support plate or bipod that was characteristic of later models. The M1918 had a blade front sight and a leaf with aperture battle sight with aperture rear sight.
M1918A1 (1937) was selective to fire either semi- or fully-automatic. It had a shoulder support plate hinged to the buttstock and a spike type bipod. The M1918A1 had a blade front sight and a leaf with aperture battle sight with aperture rear sight.
M1918A2 (1940) was fully-automatic, but selective at either Slow (300-450 spm) or Fast (500-650 spm) rates of fire. The M1918A2 was originally issued with a spike based removable stock rest which fitted in a hole in the buttstock. It had a shorter hinged shoulder support plate and a skid type bipod. Later modifications included a plastic buttstock and the addition of a carrying handle. The M1918A2 had a blade front sight and a leaf with aperture rear sight adjustable for windage.0 -
Looks like you've got a nice piece of history there.
Edited by - Xracer on 11/14/2002 09:27:450 -
You can still keep it, even if it's not registered. But you have to torch-cut the receiver in at least 3 large pieces. (Or just surrender the receiver to BATF) Then you can get a substitute reciever (non-working) and rebuild it. Sure it can't fire, (dam shame) but it's a mighty handsome thing to hang over your mantle! 0 -
You should contact your aunt or the executor of the estate and get some identification of this BAR. At least have them weigh it. If it weighs 16 or 17 lbs it's a military. If 8 or 9 lbs it's a civilian sporting version.
Some wives are in the dark about where guns come from or when they were acquired.
My wife believes the story that they breed and multiply in the safe when you close the door and leave the room.
If it's military it's very important that they search for registration information. Then follow the advise in these posts about contacting BATF, whether it's registered or not.
You're fortunate if it's a registered military or a sporting BAR.
Wish you the best of luck.
I.Shute0
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