Ok. As in all things pertaining to the govt, there is a path to follow.
The BATF website is an excellent resource, but is convoluted to follow.
I could not find where the BATF explicitly references “antique non firearms” ( ie the designation
Of a cap and ball revolver) into a cartridge gun.
But:
Cutting a loading port into a C&B replica now Permanently Modifies a percussion revolver into a cartridge
gun and qualifies as a PMF.
An 07 license (manuf@cturing license) is not required for a PMF.
This is because ithe PMF is defined as a Personal use firearm, not intended for resale at the time
Of manufacture, and a PMF is not made in the numbers that would qualify as “manufacture for
Significant income” whatever that may be. I suspect, but cannot prove , that if a fellow built up
6 or 8 in a year, and hung onto them for a year or so and shot them , that qualifies as “personal use”.
I suspect, but cannot prove, that making one a day for a month WOULD RAISE THE FLAG as
Manufacturing “not for personal use”. BUT I am not the guy who makes that determination.
There is no reqmt for a serial number on a PMF UNTIL it shows up for sale or repair or shipping at an
FFL holder.
That FFL holder then is required to permanently place a serial on the PMF.
There are recommended guidelines , and specific requirements (ie so big, so deep, etc) for the FFL
to follow. The guidleines include the FFL holders FFL number.
At this time, for BATF reqmts, if a person wants to make a PMF, that person can put the serial number of their
choice on it as long as it is unique, and follows the requirements. For the number of their choice, in the past,
It must be doen before the PMF is touched by an FFL holder. OR they can send it off to an FFL who offers
serialization as a service.This info is from the people who like to build their own “AR lower” or “1911 lower”
based PMF, they have been doing this for Some time and have been working with the BATF and or following
along and providing input/feedback with/to BATF offices involved and congress critters.
Howver, the relatively newly published BATF info may change that.
One suggested form of serial number is “your state, your initials, current date” .
If one uses yyymmdd, since the date Increases by one daily, one is pretty much covered
For example, … arizona, prof marvel, today, would be:
“AZPM20240123”
Stamped or engraved permanently at least 1/8 inch high and at least 3/32 deep (i think) in metal.
The only reference to “applying for a serial number and paying a fee” appears to be California, where the
User must apply to a California govt branch, pay a fee, and recieves a serial number to be engraved on the firearm.
And that serial number and description goes in the Calafornia State Book of All Knowledge under rhe User’s name.
And the user is then taxed relentlessly and has the number of the beast engraved upon their forehead.
Oops .. is legally on the books in California.
Other states will/may vary even moreso.
Remember…
-When dealing with stuff like this, contact a lawyer who specializes in “this stuff”, esp in your state.
- you get what you pay for
- contact the BATF and get the answer In Writing.
- Preserve the BATF letter in lucite forever, and keep copies with the PMF in question
- I am not a lawyer
- I read a lot
- I participated in lots of contract law and govt contracts and patent law and small business law,
so I can safely say I have professional experience at being confused.
- as always, YMMV
Hope this helps
Prof Professional confusicator