How Do I Find My Guns Registered Serial Number

Firearms Verification

Firearms Verification Overview

Marking Requirements

Serial Number

Must be clearly engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame or receiver
The serial number cannot indistinguishable the serial number actualization on whatsoever other firearm the importer previously imported
For firearms imported later January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the series number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch

Name of Manufacturer

Must be conspicuously engraved, bandage or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported later January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Country of Origin

Must be clearly engraved, bandage or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the country of origin must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Model Designation (if assigned)

Must exist conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the model designation must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Caliber or Guage

Must be clearly engraved, bandage or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported subsequently January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the caliber or judge must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Name of Importer

Must be clearly engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported afterwards January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the importer's proper name must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Metropolis & Land of the Importer

Must exist clearly engraved, bandage or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide
For firearms imported afterward January thirty, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the importer'southward city and state must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch

Note: The importer must ensure that these marks of identification announced on each firearm. If the manufacturer did not marker them, the importer must place the required markings on the firearm within fifteen days after their release from Customs and Border Protection custody. The Director, Bureau of Booze, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may authorize other ways of firearms identification upon receipt of a letter application from the importer, submitted in duplicate, showing that such other means of identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of the regulations.

Identification of Firearms

27 CFR 478.92

Q: How must licensed manufacturers and licensed importers identify firearms, armor piercing ammunition?

Firearms. You lot, every bit a licensed manufacturer or licensed importer of firearms, must legibly place each firearm manufactured or imported every bit follows:

By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to exist engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver thereof an individual serial number. The serial number must be placed in a style not susceptible of beingness readily obliterated, contradistinct, or removed, and must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm. For firearms manufactured or imported on and after January xxx, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a impress size no smaller than 1/16 inch; and
By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to exist engraved, bandage, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame, receiver, or butt thereof certain additional information. This data must exist placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. For firearms manufactured or imported on and afterwards Jan thirty, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of this information must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch. The additional data includes:
1. The model, if such designation has been made;
2. The quotient or gauge:
3. Your proper noun (or recognized abbreviation) and also, when applicative, the name of the strange manufacturer;
4. In the case of a domestically made firearm, the urban center and State (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where you lot as the manufacturer maintain your place of business concern; and
5. In the instance of an imported firearm, the proper noun of the country in which it was manufactured and the city and State (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where yous as the importer maintain your place of business. For additional requirements relating to imported firearms, meet Customs regulations at xix CFR function 134.
Firearm frames or receivers. A firearm frame or receiver that is not a component part of a complete weapon at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of by you must be identified as required past this section.
Special markings for semiautomatic set on weapons, effective July v, 1995. In the instance of whatever semiautomatic assail weapon manufactured after September 13, 1994, you lot must mark the frame or receiver "RESTRICTED Police ENFORCEMENT / GOVERNMENT USE Only" or, in the example of weapons manufactured for export, "FOR EXPORT ONLY," in a manner non susceptible of being readily obliterated, contradistinct, or removed. For weapons manufactured or imported on and after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the special markings prescribed in this paragraph (a)(3) must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch.

Note : Section 478.92(a)(3) Repealed on September thirteen, 2004
Exceptions:
1. Alternate means of identification. The Director may authorize other ways of identification upon receipt of a letter application from you lot, submitted in duplicate, showing that such other identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective assistants of this part.
2. Destructive devices. In the example of a destructive device, the Director may qualify other means of identifying that weapon upon receipt of a letter application from y'all, submitted in duplicate, showing that engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) such a weapon would be unsafe or impracticable.
3. Machine guns, silencers, and parts. Any part defined as a machine gun, firearm muffler, or firearm silencer in Sec. 478.11, that is not a component function of a complete weapon at the time information technology is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of by yous, must exist identified as required by this section. The Director may authorize other ways of identification of parts defined every bit machine guns other than frames or receivers and parts defined as mufflers or silencers upon receipt of a letter application from yous, submitted in indistinguishable, showing that such other identification is reasonable and volition not hinder the effective administration of this part.
Measurement of height and depth of markings. The depth of all markings required by this section will exist measured from the flat surface of the metallic and not the peaks or ridges. The height of serial numbers required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section will be measured equally the distance between the latitudinal ends of the character impression bottoms (bases).
Armor piercing ammunition.
1. Marking of armament. Each licensed manufacturer or licensed importer of armor piercing armament shall place such ammunition past means of painting, staining or dying the exterior of the projectile with an opaque black coloring. This coloring must completely embrace the bespeak of the projectile and at to the lowest degree 50 percent of that portion of the projectile which is visible when the projectile is loaded into a cartridge case.
2. Labeling of packages. Each licensed manufacturer or licensed importer of armor piercing ammunition shall clearly and conspicuously characterization each bundle in which armor piercing ammunition is independent, e.thousand., each box, carton, instance, or other container. The label shall include the words "ARMOR PIERCING" in cake letter at least i/4 inch in height. The lettering shall exist located on the outside surface of the package which contains information concerning the caliber or gauge of the ammunition. At that place shall also be placed on the same surface of the bundle in block lettering at to the lowest degree ane/8 inch in summit the words "FOR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OR EXPORTATION ONLY." The statements required by this subparagraph shall be on a contrasting background.
Large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured afterwards September 13, 1994.
1. Each person who manufactures or imports any large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after September thirteen, 1994, shall legibly identify each such device with a serial number. Such person may utilise the aforementioned serial number for all large capacity ammunition feeding devices produced.
  1. Additionally, in the case of a domestically fabricated large capacity ammunition feeding device, such device shall be marked with the name, city and State (or recognized abbreviation thereof) of the manufacturer;
  2. And in the case of an imported large capacity ammunition feeding device, such device shall exist marked:
    1. With the name of the manufacturer, country of origin, and,
    2. Effective July 5, 1995, the name, metropolis and Country (or recognized abridgement thereof) of the importer.
  3. Further, large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured afterward September thirteen, 1994, shall be marked "RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT / Authorities Utilize But" or, in the instance of devices manufactured or imported for export, constructive July 5, 1995, "FOR EXPORT Only."
2. All markings required by this paragraph (c) shall exist cast, stamped, or engraved on the exterior of the device. In the instance of a magazine, the markings shall be placed on the magazine body.
3. Exceptions:
  1. Metal links. Persons who manufacture or import metal links for use in the assembly of belted ammunition are simply required to place the identification marks prescribed in paragraph (c)(1) on this section on the containers used for the packaging of the links
  2. Alternate ways of identification. The Director may authorize other means of identifying large capacity ammunition feeding devices upon receipt of a letter of the alphabet awarding, in duplicate, from the manufacturer or importer showing that such other identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of this part

Note : Section 478.92(c) Repealed on September 13, 2004

27 CFR 479.102

Q: How must firearms be identified?

You, as a manufacturer, importer, or maker of a firearm, must legibly identify the firearm as follows:

Past engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise clearly placing or causing to exist engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver thereof an individual serial number. The series number must be placed in a mode non susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed, and must not duplicate whatever serial number placed by you on any other firearm. For firearms manufactured, imported, or made on and later on Jan 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a impress size no smaller than i/16 inch; and
By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to exist engraved, cast, stamped (impressed), or placed on the frame, receiver, or barrel thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, contradistinct or removed. For firearms manufactured, imported, or made on and afterwards January thirty, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of this data must exist to a minimum depth of .003 inch. The additional information includes:
1. The model, if such designation has been made;
2. The caliber or gauge;
3. Your name (or recognized abbreviation) and as well, when applicable, the same of the foreign manufacturer or maker;
4. In the case of a domestically made firearm, the city and Land (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where y'all equally the manufacturer maintain your identify of business, or where you lot, as the maker, fabricated the firearm; and
5. In the case of an imported firearm, the name of the land in which it was manufactured and the city and Country (or recognized abridgement thereof) where y'all as the importer maintain your identify of business concern. For additional requirements relating to imported firearms, see Customs regulations at nineteen CFR part 134.
The depth of all markings required past this section volition exist measured from the apartment surface of the metal and not the peaks or ridges. The height of series numbers required past paragraph (a)(ane) of this section will be measured as the distance between the latitudinal ends of the character impression bottoms (bases).
The Director may authorize other means of identification upon receipt of a letter application from you, submitted in indistinguishable, showing that such other identification is reasonable and volition not hinder the effective administration of this part.
In the case of a subversive device, the Director may qualify other means of identifying that weapon upon receipt of a alphabetic character application from you, submitted in duplicate, showing that engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) such a weapon would be dangerous or impracticable.
A firearm frame or receiver that is non a component part of a complete weapon at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of by y'all must be identified as required past this section.

Any part divers as a automobile gun, muffler, or silencer for the purposes of this part that is non a component part of a consummate firearm at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise tending of by you must exist identified equally required past this section.
The Managing director may authorize other ways of identification of parts defined as machine guns other than frames or receivers and parts defined every bit mufflers or silencers upon receipt of a letter application from you lot, submitted in duplicate, showing that such other identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of this part.

ATF Rulings

ATF Ruling 2002-vi

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has been asked past State and local police enforcement officials to trace firearms that are marked, in part, with non-Roman letters and/or non-Arabic numbers. Specifically, ATF received a request to trace a Makarov blazon pistol made in Bulgaria. The original manufacturer marking was ИМ 18 355. Considering the importer did not postage the firearm with a unique identifier that could be recognized past either ATF or a State or local police enforcement official, and because the marking contained a Cyrillic character, the firearm was not properly recorded, resulting in a failed trace of the weapon.

Because markings with non-Roman characters or non-Standard arabic are not easily recorded or transmitted through means past importers, dealers, or distributors, many firearm traces accept proved unsuccessful. In some cases, an importer attempts to translate portions of the markings into Roman letters and Arabic numbers and re-marks the weapon with the series number ДМ7639И. The importer translated the marking as LM7639i merely rather than restamp the entire number merely added the letters "L" and "i" below the original markings. This exercise often results in failed traces considering those required to tape the markings (importers, dealers, or distributors) may tape but the translated portions or both sets of markings. Moreover, law enforcement recovering a firearm with such markings may submit a trace asking lacking some portion of the markings, further impeding efforts to successfully trace the firearm.

In add-on, ATF has found that some traces have failed because the required markings on the firearms barrel were wholly partially obstructed from plain view past a wink suppressor or bayonet mount, resulting in the Federal Firearms Licensee creating an inaccurate record. ATF has been unable to trace hundreds of firearms equally a result of nonstandard or obscured markings.

As a result of these practices, some licensed importers my non be in compliance with the marking requirements set forth in 27 CFR 178.92^[a] and 27 CFR 179.102^[a] considering they have marked using not-Roman letters (such as Greek or Russian messages, Δ or Д) or non-Arabic numbers (e.g., XXV).

The above regulations require markings that legibly identify each detail or bundle and require that such markings be conspicuous. ATF has consistently taken the position that "legibly" marked means using exclusively Roman letters, (A, a, B, b, C, c, and and then along) and 'conspicuous" means that all required markings must be placed in such a mode as to be wholly unobstructed from evidently view. These regulation apply to licensed manufacturers and licensed importers relative to firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and big capacity ammunition feeding devices, and to makers of National Firearms Act firearms.

Firearms, armor piercing ammunition and large capacity armament feeding devices which contain required markings or labels using non-Roman letters (such every bit Greek or Russian letters, Δ or Д) or non-Standard arabic alphabetic character (e.g., XXV), must exist completely remarked or relabeled with a new serial number or other required markings that satisfy the legibility requirements described in a higher place. It is not sufficient to simply add an additional Roman letter or Standard arabic numeral to a nonconforming marking; a new and unique marking using Roman messages and Arabic numerals is required. When feasible, the new markings should be placed directly in a higher place the non-compliant markings.

Similarly, firearms and big chapters ammunition feeding devices which incorporate required markings obstructed in whole or in function from obviously view must exist remarked with required markings that satisfy the conspicuousness requirements described to a higher place. For example, required markings may not be placed on a portion of the barrel where the markings would exist wholly or partially obstructed from view past some other office of the firearm, such as a flash suppressor or bayonet mount.

In sure unavoidable circumstances attributable mainly to firearms of unusual design or other limiting factor(southward) which would limit the ability of the manufacturer or importer to comply with the above legibility and conspicuousness requirements, alternate ways of identification may be authorized equally described in 27 CFR 178.92(a)(3)(i), (two), or (iii)^[a] and 27 CFR 178.92(c)(3)(iii)^[a].

Held, a Makarov type pistol imported from Bulgaria utilizing Cyrillic messages or not-Arabic numbers is not marked in accordance with 27 CFR 178.92^[a] and 27 CFR 179.102^[a].

Held further, an imported firearm with whatsoever part of the required marking partially or wholly obstructed from plain view is not marked in accordance with section 27 CFR 178.92^[a] and 27 CFR 179.102^[a].

Engagement signed: Nov five, 2002

New provisions are under Parts 478 and 479, not 178 and 179.

ATF Ruling 75-28

The Bureau has adamant that in some cases, the serial number placed on a firearm by a foreign manufacturer is adequate to provide the identification number by 27 CFR § 178.92^[b]. See also 27 CFR § 178.22(a)^[b].

Held, where a serial number has been placed on the frame or receiver of a firearm past a foreign manufacturer in the manner contemplated past 27 CFR § 178.92^[b], and such series number does not indistinguishable a number previously adopted or assigned by the import to whatever other firearm, the importer may adopt the series number of the foreign manufacturer.

Provided, the importer shall in all cases identify his name and accost (city and state or recognized abridgement thereof), and whatsoever other marks necessary to comply with the identification requirements of 27 CFR § 178.92^[b], on such imported firearms.

New provisions are under Parts 478 and 479, non 178 and 179.

Manufacture Circulars

Duplication of Serial Numbers by Licensed Importers

ATF has noted cases where some licensed importers have adopted the same series number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than than i source.

Title 27 CFR § 178.92^[c] requires that the serial number affixed to a firearm must not duplicate the number affixed to any other firearm that you import into the United States. Those of you who import destructive devices are under the same requirement due to the inclusion of subversive devices in the definition of firearm as used in 27 CFR § 178.11^[c]. ATF Ruling 75-28 also reminds y'all of the other identifying marks required past 27 CFR § 178.92^[c]. In improver to a unique serial number, each firearm must be marked to show the model (if whatsoever); the quotient or gauge; the name of the manufacturer and importer, or recognizable abbreviations; the country of manufacture; and the city and State (or recognized abbreviations) in which your licensed premises are located.

Notation : All cited references to regulation and statutes in the foregoing ATF rulings and industry round use identifiers and section indicators in issue at the time the rulings and industry circular were approved. On Jan 24, 2003, ATF was part of a reorganization of government which placed it under the Section of Justice (DOJ). This transition resulted in certain changes within the numbering system and identification of ATF's regulations at present issued and referenced under the authorization of DOJ.

New provisions are under Office 478, not 178.

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