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Posted: 1/3/2010 7:38:10 AM EDT
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I have a Coal Valley lower, and its 21 years old. It's in great shape but the serial number is faded pretty bad now. The first number is almost not visible and the second number is halfway missing.
What can I do to remedy this, as I don't want any trouble for my serial being partially unreadable? Please let me know (and sorry if this isn't in the right forum, I wasn't totally sure where to post it). Thanks. |
Is the number engraved?
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Quoted:
I have a Coal Valley lower, and its 21 years old. It's in great shape but the serial number is faded pretty bad now. The first number is almost not visible and the second number is halfway missing. What can I do to remedy this, as I don't want any trouble for my serial being partially unreadable? Please let me know (and sorry if this isn't in the right forum, I wasn't totally sure where to post it). Thanks. Write the serial number down on a piece of paper, stash it away for safe keeping, and don't worry about the serial numbers on the receiver. Trust me, is someone whats the numbers bad enough, they will be able to get them with all of the surface/numbers rubbed away (compression detection from when they where first stamped). |
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I would say as long as this isnt a SBR or F/A registered lower, you have nothing to worry about. As dano said, write it down and put it in the safe or inside the buttstock if it has a A2 trapdoor
Having it reengraved and deepened would cost more then a new lower in most circumstances. |
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Faded ?? Coal Valley ?? Is it also stamped EA-15?
Better check state and local laws if the number can be considered obscured. If it were to come to the attention of a LEO you might be in for a rough ride. Are you sure it is not an Eagle Arms lower, I have an Eagle Arms lower that is stamped Coal Valley. If so you should call them. They may be willing to do something about it. |
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I didn't keep my browser refreshed so I was behind with my last post.
It’s definitely an Eagle Arms. It looks like the one I have. That does not look like a legal problem to me, if I am wrong I’ll refund what you paid me. 
Being NY state if in doubt run it by an attorney that specializes in firearms cases. You can call Eagle. Do what Dano said. |
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You can have the serial number engraved ALMOST anywhere on the lower. Just don't RE-ENGRAVE over the old one, that is considered obscuring. But it is a 5 min job to have the same S/N engraved elsewhere (like right next to the factory SN).
But only do this if it bothers you. I do not believe you are in any legal jeopardy- the number is plainly visible and the aluminum isn't going to flow back in and fill the engraving by itself. |
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No where does it say the serial number has to be in plan sight on a receiver, only BATF states the depth of what the engraving/stamping must be to begin with. On most of my higher priced shotguns, the serial number is stamped on the inside of the receiver, and hidden by the barrels when the action is shut.
It if really concerns you that the numbers on the receiver may be lost (again not going to happen since they can even pull serial numbers from firearms that the numbers have been scratched out), them pull the pistol grip and have the serial number re-stamped on one of the flat sides for the pistol grip (do quite often when Receivers have to be remarked for SBR or conversions with manufactors name and location, and you don't want to deface the showing surfaces). Even if push comes to shove with LEO, the receiver is marked with the serial numbers now, either through compression identification, or just by pulling the pistol grip if you care to go that way. |
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Quoted:
Some wierdo said to stamp a new serial number somewhere where you can't see it. That is ridiculously wrong information. IF IF IF you are going to put a new one on it, it HAS to be visible and in PLAIN sight. Especially SBR engravings.. I made a mistake, and you are correct Section 7.4 The identification of firearms. 7.4.1 Serial numbers. Each manufacturer of a firearm must legibly identify it by engraving, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing on the firearm’s frame or receiver an individual serial number not duplicating any serial number placed by the manufacturer on any other firearm.120 The requirement that the marking be “conspicuously” placed on the firearm means that the marking must be wholly unobstructed from plain view. For firearms manufactured on or after January 30, 2002, the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch. |
| I haven't seen a response about the numbers, but that serial number is stamped, not painted. They shouldn't fade any more unless you're grinding on the receiver. The numbers were never stamped deeply or evenly enough for the whole serial number to be clearly legible. |
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