I have an older 30-40 spoterized Krag that I plan on selling but I can not find a serial number on it. Is this required for a sale of a firearm to be legal? Did rifles have a serial number on them back in that era?
GCA68 is the hard fast deadline for a required serial number on a firearm. I have an late 50s shotgun with no serial number. If I remember correctly, the atf says to use the model number in any required paperwork IF if still requires any for transfer.
I have a half dozen Winchester Model 67 and 68s to give my kids/ grandkids when they get older. Not a one has a serial number on it...and that's one of the reasons why I got them. I also have a Remington 510 that is the same.
Model number and 'pre 68' were all that was needed on the 4473 for the last two I purchased.
Serial numbers weren't required before 68, but it is a problem if it had a serial number originally and it was removed. In your case a US Model 1898 did originally have a serial number as Badfinger illustrated.