colt 1911 help

[O2HeN2]

Sorry, that should have read "may be a problem" (fixed on edit). Though you might be able to resolve this issue at the Federal (read: ATF) level, I see no wiggle room in the Colorado Revised Statues if the firearm has been "defaced":

C.R.S. 18-12-103 (2011)
18-12-103. Possession of a defaced firearm

A person commits a class 1 misdemeanor if he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a firearm, the manufacturer's serial number of which, or other distinguishing number or identification mark, has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, except by normal wear and tear.

[rondog]

Man, there's an ATF office in the same building I work in. Want me to go ask them for you?

[BPTactical]

Sorry, that should have read "may be a problem" (fixed on edit). Though you might be able to resolve this issue at the Federal (read: ATF) level, I see no wiggle room in the Colorado Revised Statues if the firearm has been "defaced":

C.R.S. 18-12-103 (2011)
18-12-103. Possession of a defaced firearm

A person commits a class 1 misdemeanor if he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a firearm, the manufacturer's serial number of which, or other distinguishing number or identification mark, has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, except by normal wear and tear.

Not so, I just got off of the horn with CBI for a clarification. There is a key word in the above statute that if the OP is on the level, absolves him of any criminal act.
UNLAWFULLY
If the firearm in question was lawfully obtained by inheritance as noted in the original post he has nothing to fear.
When asked as far as reassignment or restoration of an obliterated serial number CBI has no stance. They deferred me to BATF policy and regulations, which we have already covered.

This is truly a travesty and crying shame. A rare piece of military history and firearm history is going to be destroyed because of fear/paranoia.

[Foxinator]

Ok......... let Me just say I have nothing at all to hide. But for one thing what in the world would I use for documentation ? This thing is from one of the world wars. I have no serial number to figure out exactly what it is other than markings. And obviously it has no bill of sell.It was brought home after military service. so what kind of paper work would I even come up with ?
My luck I would try to get it taken care of and it would end up as a nice momentum in some ATF agents gun safe.
When I was dismantling it today under one of the grips was My wives Dads social security number engraved into it.
Sorry, but My old Man is a retired police officer and I know how they are with this kind of stuff.
I may not destroy this frame, but I can tell you this gun will have a legal one on it very soon. The old one is gonna vanish some where that I might not even find it. I don't want to draw a red flag on My application for and SBR and suppressor.
Like I said, to much of a hassle to have to prove it yours and the fact I have no kind of paperwork to prove it. Those people are all about documentation and how in the hell would I come up with that ?

[BPTactical]

You have all of the provenance you need to show lawful possesion:

My wives Dads social security number engraved into it.

(Just how many wives do you have??)
That with a certificate of death or if he is still alive a statement from him stating that it is a "bring back" from military service is all that is needed.

You have a piece of history there. Relish it.

[BuffCyclist]

You have all of the provenance you need to show lawful possesion:

(Just how many wives do you have??)
That with a certificate of death or if he is still alive a statement from him stating that it is a "bring back" from military service is all that is needed.

You have a piece of history there. Relish it.

That's precisely what i was thinking. Proof that its his SSN engraved there, pictures that prove it (and that show the rest of the pistol, not just completely zoomed in), and a cert of death or letter should be enough. Granted I've never had dealings with the BATF, that seems like enough irrefutable evidence to me.

[rondog]

Man, you're too eager to toss in the towel on this. It's not that big of a deal, they're not going to red flag/blacklist you for your SBR and suppressor applications. If anything, this will help to show you're a law-abiding citizen that wants to do the right thing, and still keep a family heirloom war trophy. There were thousands of 1911's brought back by GI's in several wars, this is nothing new to the ATF. The military wrote 'em off years ago, and doesn't want them back.

You are now in possession of one that a relative brought back and removed the s/n from out of his own fears, and you just want to make it legal to own. They will work with you on this.

Now if it was a Thompson SMG that had never been registered, then you'd have to get the torch out, and cry a whole bunch of tears. But this pistol can be made legal, give it a chance to survive!

[BPTactical]

It's not that big of a deal, they're not going to red flag/blacklist you for your SBR and suppressor applications. If anything, this will help to show you're a law-abiding citizen that wants to do the right thing, and still keep a family heirloom war trophy.

This was my thought as well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with establishing a good working relationship with the BATF. One of the first things they will do when they recieve your Form 1 application is search your name. A serial number assignment in your name will not hurt your cause at all.

[Foxinator]

Ok guys, I talked it over with the wife and she thinks your advise is the way to go. I hope your all right on this because she would kill me is the ATF latched on to her grandfather's 1911. I gotta admit the ATF intimidates the hell out of Me, but loosing this 1911 would bring down the wrath of God on Me. Lol
Thanks for all the help I'll get in touch with them on My next day off.
I sure hope you guys are right on this.

[BPTactical]

I think you will find that if you are straight up, have your ducks in a row and present your information in a clear and concise manner the BATF will be helpful and glad to assist you in getting your priceless relic in the clear.
By contacting them wanting to be on the good side it shows a tremendous amount of good faith on your behalf. That can't hurt a bit.
Clearly document as much history of the item that you can obtain, when the FIL obtained it, his service years, death certificate or letter from him documenting the item etc.
The better you prepare your information the smoother it will go. It will also show that you are on the up and up.
Like I stated before when I spoke with my contact, BATF deals with this all the time and they have the mechanism to deal with it. They have no desire to relieve you of a lawfully obtained relic/heirloom.
The only thing they are concerned with is willful criminal intent when it comes to removal of a SN.

We wish you the very best of luck and keep us advised please.