When a Defaced Importer Serial Number Turns an Estate Firearm Into Federal Contraband
- Drew McDermott
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Estate attorneys and fiduciaries often believe firearm identification is a simple process. You locate the serial number, you document it for probate, and you proceed with distribution or sale. For domestic firearms, that process usually works. Imported firearms are different. They often carry two legally significant serial numbers, and if one of those numbers is defaced, the entire firearm becomes federal contraband.
We recently handled exactly this situation on behalf of an Illinois attorney managing an estate. The family wanted a Romanian Draco pistol transferred to an out of state heir. Before any interstate transfer, we complete a full inspection that includes identifying every serial number, importer mark, and receiver engraving. That inspection prevented a serious federal violation.
Matching Factory Serial Numbers Looked Perfectly Fine
The Draco appeared correct on initial review. The Romanian factory serial number, 2896, was consistent across the parts where the Romanian - Cugir Arms Factory typically stamps matching numbers:
Trunnion
Bolt carrier
Gas tube
Dust cover
For estate documentation purposes, this normally provides clear identification. Matching factory numbers also confirm the firearm is not a parts kit assembled later. That was the good news.
The bad news came next.
Imported Firearms Have a Second Serial Number
Under federal law, importers like Century Arms (CAI) must apply their own serial number to the receiver of imported firearms. This number carries the same legal weight as the original factory number. In this case, the importer-applied serial should have been:
DC-2896-10
This number is the one CAI used for compliance records and is the legally recognized identifier for the firearm within the United States.
The Importer Serial Number Was Defaced
Where the CAI serial number was supposed to be, we found visible evidence of intentional removal. The receiver showed scraping and grinding marks that had obliterated the importer number. The original trunnion number remained intact, but that does not fix the problem. Once the importer serial is altered, the firearm changes legal status under federal law.
Federal Law Is Clear on Altered Serial Numbers
Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(k):
It is unlawful for any person to ship, transport, receive, or possess a firearm with the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered.
It does not matter:
That the original Romanian number was untouched
That the family did not cause the damage
That the heir had no knowledge of the issue
That the firearm came through an estate rather than a private sale
When the importer serial number is defaced, the firearm becomes non-transferable contraband. It cannot be shipped. It cannot be sold. It cannot be distributed to an heir.
Even a licensed dealer cannot repair or remark it. Only the original manufacturer or importer can legally remark a serial number, and that option is not realistic in estate situations.
The attorney and the heir avoided a federal violation because MDRF caught the issue before any transfer occurred.
Why Attorneys and Fiduciaries Miss This Problem
Most people look at only one serial number. On imported firearms like AK pistols and rifles, there are several areas to check, including:
Factory serials on internal components
Importer serial on the receiver
Compliance marks
Caliber engravings
Serial duplicates on bolt and carrier assemblies
If any required serial is altered or unreadable, the entire firearm is prohibited from transfer. This is a detail that attorneys, fiduciaries, and estate buyers rarely catch, and it is one reason why estate firearm handling requires trained inspection rather than simple visual matching.
How the Estate Resolved the Draco Issue
Since the importer serial was defaced, the Draco could not be transferred to the heir. Following standard procedure, the firearm was routed through the appropriate legal channels to ensure compliance with federal law. The attorney received complete documentation so the estate file clearly reflected why the firearm could not be part of the probate distribution.
The heir was protected. The attorney was protected. The estate remained compliant.
This is exactly the type of issue that MDRF exists to prevent.
What Estate Attorneys Should Do When Handling Imported Firearms
Here are the steps that protect clients and prevent accidental violations:
1. Never assume that one serial number is enough
Imported firearms may have two or more legally binding serial markings.
2. Ensure each number is completely intact
Scratches, grinding, or partially readable characters are all red flags.
3. Document every marking
This includes factory serials, importer serials, receiver engravings, and component numbers.
4. Stop immediately if anything looks altered
Do not ship it. Do not move it. Do not hand it to an heir.
5. Bring in an FFL who specializes in estate firearms
MDRF can inspect, document, advise, and provide a legally compliant path forward.
Final Thoughts for Attorneys and Fiduciaries
A defaced importer serial number is something many professionals may never encounter, but when it occurs, the stakes are significant. A routine transfer can turn into a federal offense without the right inspection and guidance. This case demonstrates why estates benefit from working with a licensed dealer who understands the full range of compliance requirements.
If you manage an estate that includes firearms, especially imports, We can help you identify risks early and ensure every step of the process remains legally sound.
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