Faded serial numbers and SAPS

[SwampTrooper]

I have wonderful old Mauser A sporter that is dying for an adventure in Africa but being over 100 years old has some wear. The top of the second digit “2” of the serial number is faded quite a bit. In the U.S. serial numbers really cannot be touched up in any legal way that I know of and marking elsewhere is discouraged. Anyone have any issues with SAPS or the 4457 process with faded numbers? Would love some advice on steps forward.

 

[PARA45]

I used a wax crayon to highlight the serial number on my CZ-550, and still one of the SAPS gave me a hard time and didn't want to approve my paperwork. Thanks to Gilbert from Africa Sky, he stepped in, used his charm and everything was fine.

 

[BryceM]

if the serial number shows up on the 4457 in your possession, I think SAPS will be OK with it 99% of the time.

1% of the time they go off in a random, unpredictable way anyhow.

 

[SwampTrooper]

I used a wax crayon to highlight the serial number on my CZ-550, and still one of the SAPS gave me a hard time and didn't want to approve my paperwork. Thanks to Gilbert from Africa Sky, he stepped in, used his charm and everything was fine.

Gilbert took care of us on our first trip. He made it run like clockwork. I know people say you don’t need to pay for pre-permit work but it just takes so much stress off. But that time my guns had perfect numbers…

 

[JimP]

SAP's is a questionable process.

In two trips I have had my rifles serial number checked once.

I also suggest a service to get you through them. Henry at Rifle Permits did my second trip where there was no real inspection of my rifle.

 

[Tanks]

You should never deal with SAPS solo. The $100 fee for assistance is well worth it.

 

[Major Bonkers]

I appreciate what you have written: 'In the U.S. serial numbers really cannot be touched up in any legal way that I know of and marking elsewhere is discouraged.' However, if I were you, I should simply get the serial number copied onto the trigger guard: this strikes me as the simplest way ahead.

It also makes life easier in South Africa: instead of squinting and searching for the serial number, you simply turn over the rifle and there it is in big numbers. I had all my rifles marked like this about 5 years ago, and from memory the price was £25/ rifle.

I have never dealt with American gunsmiths, but I cannot imagine that there is any objection to recutting an existing serial number (as opposed to altering it).

 

[SwampTrooper]

I appreciate what you have written: 'In the U.S. serial numbers really cannot be touched up in any legal way that I know of and marking elsewhere is discouraged.' However, if I were you, I should simply get the serial number copied onto the trigger guard: this strikes me as the simplest way ahead.

It also makes life easier in South Africa: instead of squinting and searching for the serial number, you simply turn over the rifle and there it is in big numbers. I had all my rifles marked like this about 5 years ago, and from memory the price was £25/ rifle.

I have never dealt with American gunsmiths, but I cannot imagine that there is any objection to recutting an existing serial number (as opposed to altering it).

The frame is the regulated part in the U.S. so technically you can mark on the barrel and trigger guard all you like but I’ve read elsewhere that it could look suspicious. I think it would be quite the opposite. The controlled item in other countries is the barrel and bolt. I think I’ll put the number on the barrel and trigger guard for redundancy for that three second look over they give you. But I want to ask you all who may have been in this position before what happened, what worked and what did not.

 

[Green Chile]

Some companies serial the barrels...Blaser for one. In that case, I make sure the action and barrel serials are both on the 4457 (and they are never the same number). Also, in RSA the serial is on the barrel usually instead of the action like in the States.

 

[tygersman1]

Experience suggests that the "2" is the first digit in the $20 USD that makes it a non-issue for the would-be inspector. But as you noted, just have the number engraved in another easily accessible location.

 

[PARA45]

BTW, I had taken the same rifle two years prior, and didn’t have any issues. Also, had no issues at the Eastern Cape. The issue was SAPS in Joburgh.

 

[Denvir Tire]

A Mauser that I wanted to take to Africa, had no serial number exposed except for a beautifully engraved number on the trigger guard. Not sure if a serial number on the trigger guard, (that was more art than number), would fly??
Stamped the same number onto the receiver, at the bottom of the bolt raceway, where the sear rides. The number is sharp and clear, although completely hidden by the bolt. Honestly, even if you're looking for the number, most people can't find it without help.

 

[SwampTrooper]

I’m just in this position where I want to be able to take my rifle while not break any laws while also satisfying any bureaucrats at either end of travel. Gilbert from Africa Sky took care of us last time but I had no numbers issues. It’s a shame because I love working on these old guns and this is a common problem.