Fourm 1 serial number question?

[minmax]

Since I am making up a serial number for a fourm 1 silencer and want to keep it short for engraving purposes. I was thinking of using the first three letters of my trust name. Can the serial number be all letters or does it have to include numbers?

SN# ABC or SN#ABC01

[T-Rex]

Needs at least one number. Hence the name, "Serial NUMBER ".
Don't forget to share your build, once finished.

[minmax]

I have seen serial numbers on other items as just letters before. Oh well no Biggie.

[L1A1Rocker]

IIRC there is a "sticky" on Form 1s that addresses this.

[silencer_kid]

from batf 5320-8 chap-6

Code: Select all

All NFA firearms must be identified by a serial number and other specified markings95. If an existing
firearm is being used in the making of the NFA weapon, and that firearm is serialized, the existing serial
number should be used (unless it duplicates a serial number already used by the maker on Form 1) and
entered in Block 4(g). If the weapon is of new manufacture, the applicant must assign a unique serial
number and enter it in Block 4(g). For example, [b]a unique serial number could be composed of at least 4
digits preceded by the initials of the maker. NOTE: alpha characters, e.g., a name, will not be accepted
as a serial number. If a name is to be used, there must be at least one numeric character in addition to
the alpha characters[/b].

[plodder]

from batf 5320-8 chap-6

Code: Select all

All NFA firearms must be identified by a serial number and other specified markings95. If an existing
firearm is being used in the making of the NFA weapon, and that firearm is serialized, the existing serial
number should be used (unless it duplicates a serial number already used by the maker on Form 1) and
entered in Block 4(g). If the weapon is of new manufacture, the applicant must assign a unique serial
number and enter it in Block 4(g). For example, [b]a unique serial number could be composed of at least 4
digits preceded by the initials of the maker. NOTE: alpha characters, e.g., a name, will not be accepted
as a serial number. If a name is to be used, there must be at least one numeric character in addition to
the alpha characters[/b].

I probably shouldn't post this on a public forum, but I have several Form 1 silencers approved and my serial numbers are all 2 letters followed by 1 digit. Never a snag, question or correction requested by examiners on Eform submissions.

[Bendersquint]

from batf 5320-8 chap-6

Code: Select all

All NFA firearms must be identified by a serial number and other specified markings95. If an existing
firearm is being used in the making of the NFA weapon, and that firearm is serialized, the existing serial
number should be used (unless it duplicates a serial number already used by the maker on Form 1) and
entered in Block 4(g). If the weapon is of new manufacture, the applicant must assign a unique serial
number and enter it in Block 4(g). For example, [b]a unique serial number could be composed of at least 4
digits preceded by the initials of the maker. NOTE: alpha characters, e.g., a name, will not be accepted
as a serial number. If a name is to be used, there must be at least one numeric character in addition to
the alpha characters[/b].

I probably shouldn't post this on a public forum, but I have several Form 1 silencers approved and my serial numbers are all 2 letters followed by 1 digit. Never a snag, question or correction requested by examiners on Eform submissions.

Key word in the legal copy/paste is COULD. Not MUST. Your 2 letters and a number are compliant.

[silencer_kid]

Your 2 letters and a number are compliant.

have to read the whole thing??
but yes, his two letter with # is compliant.

If a name is to be used, there must be at least one numeric character in addition to
the alpha characters

[plodder]

Your 2 letters and a number are compliant.

have to read the whole thing??
but yes, his two letter with # is compliant.

If a name is to be used, there must be at least one numeric character in addition to
the alpha characters

Snarky comment recognized and appreciated & I did read the "WHOLE" thing. The part that raises the doubt is the "at least 4 digits". If the number of digits is optional, why would they specify "at least 4" even if preceded by "For example" and "could"? Ah, but the internal workings and machinations of the BATFE we shall probably never understand

[silencer_kid]

Snarky comment recognized and appreciated & I did read the "WHOLE" thing. The part that raises the doubt is the "at least 4 digits". If the number of digits is optional, why would they specify "at least 4" even if preceded by "For example" and "could"? Ah, but the internal workings and machinations of the BATFE we shall probably never understand

1) i did not quote you, sorry, the quoting on this forum is not easy
2) the batf example is, well, a dumb example. you "could" use 4 digits, or 6, or 3. kinda a silly example
3) they then go on to say "must......", etc. so i guess "B1" would be valid serial #?
4) the batf verbiage is written w/o reading and understanding the verbiage by the author, thus you get silly stuff (which is most of the stuff that is on the books in fed land)

[doubloon]

IIRC there is a "sticky" on Form 1s that addresses this.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=87943

[Bendersquint]

B1 is a valid serial number and accepted by BATFE.

[doubloon]

B1 is a valid serial number and accepted by BATFE.

Hmm ... I wonder how someone might know something like this.

Probably not from years of experience, having done it himself or an on and off working relationship with members of the BATFE ... must have looked it up on the interwebs.

[silencer_kid]

Hmm ... I wonder how someone might know something like this.

Probably not from years of experience, having done it himself or an on and off working relationship with members of the BATFE ... must have looked it up on the interwebs.

well, a simple read of the rules also gives the answer. interestingly enough, most LE folks do not fully understand the laws. try calling NYPD and ask them if you can fly in from Florida with your 30.06 rifle as luggage, see what they tell you (if you can get someone to talk to, they'll probably push you off to the office at JFK, then call them at JFK, see what they tell you if they even pick up a phone). after that run around, call NY State Police in Albany, then at least you'll be close to talking to someone who has some knowledge.

[doubloon]

... most LE folks do not fully understand the laws ...

Wow, now that is news.

Have you shared this information with folks on other forums?

This looks like just the kind of stuff the folks over at ARF would eat up.