EFORM 4 MANUFACTURER MYSTERY...

[Archmark]

I just received an approval for an authentic roll-stamped Inland M2 Carbine manufactured around 6/45 (Serial #7506XXX). On the Form 4 in Box 4A the "Name of the Maker, Manufacturer and/or Importer of Firearm" is listed as "US", not Inland. My FFL/SOT says that he has never seen such a description, especially since the US Government never sold machineguns directly to US citizens. So how did my M2 get this description?

 

[Grasshopper]

Hi Archmark,

FOIA time

Whatever was put on the original paperwork.  Doesn't appear to necessarily correspond with reality.  FOIA will likely let you know who or what did the initial registration.

Enjoy,

Grasshopper

 

[Got Uzi]

I had an M3 grease gun years ago that had “US CONTRACT SOURCE” in the manufacturer box. Always questioned that one but never got anywhere with it. 

[StrangeRanger]

My M1 Thompson's manufacturer is listed as "Thompson" not Savage,

Just go with the flow

 

Edited November 29, 2024 by StrangeRanger

[Frank I.]

Possibly an amnesty registered M2?

I have seen countries listed on many foreign guns and even "unknown".

Knowledge of machine guns was scarce until books were published and then the internet. 

[Rekraps]

The manufacturer block is an odd bird and one that I don't think the ATF pays attention to. I've had all kinds of things and have spent quite a few hours submitting corrections to the ATF, which, after many months get approved. The Form 4 does not change, but you'll have a stamped ATF correction letter in the event you decide to sell. Then the next Form 4 will reflect the change.

[okrana]

AFAIK, in the olden days, the predecessor to the CMP possibly shipped M2 marked carbines ($20!!!!) with the full auto parts out, as semiauto.

Okrana

[MS Collector]

I've had an NFA Branch Examiner tell me that, other than needing to remain consistent from transfer to transfer, the data in the "Manuracturer" box is "not important".  She also added that what they do "really focus on" is the SN, caliber, model, overall length, and barrel length boxes . . . those are the "big deal" data points for them.

[Rekraps]

On 11/29/2024 at 6:57 AM, StrangeRanger said:

My M1 Thompson's manufacturer is listed as "Thompson" not Savage,

Just go with the flow

 

Great point. I spent literally hundreds of hours over the past five years getting stuff like this corrected.... and it makes no difference at all.

[MS Collector]

Rekraps:  To compound your frustration, I've been involved in transfers of C&R guns where guys like you came before me in the chain of ownership . . . . and had worked to "correct" stuff like the manufacturer or model information.  Then, on the most reecnt transfer (i.e. to me) the form gets rejected because the corrections somehow appear to have been lost by BATFE, so that the NFRTR contines to reflect the original (incorrect) data from the original registration decades ago.

I've gotten to the point of taking a "don't mess with it" apporach to this data, unless there is something just so terribly wrong that it may cause a legitmate question about the identity of the gun.  Other than that . . . just leave well enough alone and use the information that BATFE has in the NFRTR.

[Colt Chopper]

My PM TRW M-14 has the caliber listed as 30-06, matters none to me, not worth the effort.

I just go with the flow.

[BillinBama]

I once had a STEN that was listed as ".22" caliber. When I sold it I considered changing it to the correct 9mm but decided to leave well enough alone.

[APEXgunparts]

On 2/13/2025 at 8:47 AM, okrana said:

AFAIK, in the olden days, the predecessor to the CMP possibly shipped M2 marked carbines ($20!!!!) with the full auto parts out, as semiauto.

Okrana

 

I have spoken to at least 2 people who had received M2 marked carbines from the old DCM program.
No F/A parts, just marked M2.
Over the years I have seen M2 marked carbines for sale in pawn shops (when I lived in Utah) being sold as rifles, and once I saw a gent walking around a gun show with a box of 3 M2 marked receivers.
They are around.

Richard

[Rekraps]

On 2/13/2025 at 4:33 PM, MS Collector said:

Rekraps:  To compound your frustration, I've been involved in transfers of C&R guns where guys like you came before me in the chain of ownership . . . . and had worked to "correct" stuff like the manufacturer or model information.  Then, on the most reecnt transfer (i.e. to me) the form gets rejected because the corrections somehow appear to have been lost by BATFE, so that the NFRTR contines to reflect the original (incorrect) data from the original registration decades ago.

I've gotten to the point of taking a "don't mess with it" apporach to this data, unless there is something just so terribly wrong that it may cause a legitmate question about the identity of the gun.  Other than that . . . just leave well enough alone and use the information that BATFE has in the NFRTR.

Another great reason to leave things be. I keep copies of the approved BATF corrected paperwork which will go with the gun(s) when i sell.

[JTM35A2]

I have an amnesty registered auto ordnance. But the original registrant spelled it “auto ordinance”. 
Not sure if i should even stir up the atf hornets nest attempting to get it corrected. 

[tommyboy]

9 hours ago, JTM35A2 said:

I have an amnesty registered auto ordnance. But the original registrant spelled it “auto ordinance”. 
Not sure if i should even stir up the atf hornets nest attempting to get it corrected. 

Just leave it be. Even if you had it corrected, you won’t receive an updated form 4 and most likely it will revert back to the original description when it’s transferred to the next buyer.

[CLC]

I am waiting on a Saginaw M1 carbine full auto papered the same way.  Manufacturer is listed as "US". No mention of any other markings other than the serial number.  Planning on a FOIA after it is approved to me.  I figure it's an amnesty gun or a mistake in the manufacturer box as it has to be a conversion.