This similiar question was originally posted on Sturmgewehr.com by ScottH, but it didn't play out.

I know that a firearm's serial number can not be altered, and probably not the manufacturer's name, city and state, but can the model name be changed? Isn't that what the manufacturers did to circumvent the "Assault Weapon" ban, besides eliminate some of the evil features?

If so, why hasn't someone manufactured an "M1 Carbine" to fit the ban? Or better yet, change the name on the receiver to say "PM1" or "M19".