serial number on custom 1911

Question
QUESTION: D. Little,

         I hope that you might be of some help to this on going delema.  I have hand built a 1911 from 80% frame bought from the internet with no seial number. Where I was told it was legal due to the fact that it was not a complete frame (slide rails milled in).  I milled the slide rails and bought a parts kit from sportsmanguide.com and hand lapped the slide onto the frame. My queston is how do I put serial numbers on it so that I can carry?  Would I be able to use my own serial number and if so how do i know the serial number i pick is not in use, or am I issued a number? Im located in Florida, I know you don't know to much about our laws, but any advice would help, thanks

         Thomas

ANSWER: Thomas,

Here is your answer based on best info I have.  You can legally build your gun and carry it.  You are actually not required to have a serial number although the BATF strongly recommends that you put some sort identifying marks on it so that it can be identified if stolen or sold.  I would probably not recommend that you put your SSN or DL number on it, but some other unique identifier would be good.  

There seems to be a bit of a question about selling using a BATF 4473 form since you aren't a licensed manufacturer, but you could do a face to face, private party sale if you wanted to...if you do ever sell it, make sure that you get a copy of the id of the buyer and also make sure you have a signed bill of sale.

Hope this helps...

Regards,

Doug


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Doug,

        Thank you for your help in my ongoing delema.  If you don't mind I had just one question more, can I place letters in the serial number and does the serial number have to be a certain number of digits?  Thank You.

         Thomas

Answer
Thomas,

No problem at all...you can ask anytime you like.  That's why I am here.

Since the serial number is not required, you could really make it anything you like.  Any combination of letters and/or numbers to make it unique and identifiable should be fine.  Since you built the gun, maybe your initials and a date that is special to you someone would be kind of cool.  I just wouldn't use your birthday...privacy/security issues might result if someone sees it.

Hope this helps!

Doug