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shaggy · January 17, 2005, 04:53 PM

Indeed, some parts aren’t “just parts”.

That AK could be worth quite a bit of money IF its registered. These days, registered AK47s will easily get $12,000-14,000 for a converted gun, but if its an original Vietnam bring-back that was properly registered in the ’68 amnesty, it could be worth several thousand more. If its not registered, no matter what type its only worth a felony.

You need to find a BATF Form 1 or Form 4. You can find the current example of both forms at www.titleii.com Please note, these are the currently used version. Since we are talking about paperwork that could be 30+ years old, the forms may be somewhat different.

You absolutely need to find one of those two forms with the name of either the husband or the son on it. There should also be a $200 stamp affixed to the form. If the forms have the name of the father on them, the widow will need to have the executor of the father’s estate complete a form 4 to the son’s widow. This should be a tax-free transfer. If the forms have the name of the son (husband of the widow), she will have to get the executor his the son/husband’s estate do the same paperwork to transfer it to her (again, a tax-free transfer). I cannot stress the importance of finding that paperwork if it exists. You need that paperwork. It is your only proof the weapon was properly registered. BATF is supposed to have a registry of NFA owners, but the registry is in bad shape and contains errors, thus that paper is your only solid proof if BATF’s records are in error.

If you cannot find the paperwork have the executors of both the father’s and the executor of the son’s estates serve a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act) upon the National Firearms Act Branch at BATF to see if any NFA weapons are/were registered in either of their names. If that turns up positive for either, you can use the info to have the executor of the estate of the registered owner complete a transfer of the weapon to the widow, her designee, or a beneficiary under the terms of the will or intestate succession.

January 17, 2005, 04:53 PM	#3
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	Indeed, some parts aren’t “just parts”. That AK could be worth quite a bit of money IF its registered. These days, registered AK47s will easily get $12,000-14,000 for a converted gun, but if its an original Vietnam bring-back that was properly registered in the ’68 amnesty, it could be worth several thousand more. If its not registered, no matter what type its only worth a felony. You need to find a BATF Form 1 or Form 4. You can find the current example of both forms at www.titleii.com Please note, these are the currently used version. Since we are talking about paperwork that could be 30+ years old, the forms may be somewhat different. You absolutely need to find one of those two forms with the name of either the husband or the son on it. There should also be a $200 stamp affixed to the form. If the forms have the name of the father on them, the widow will need to have the executor of the father’s estate complete a form 4 to the son’s widow. This should be a tax-free transfer. If the forms have the name of the son (husband of the widow), she will have to get the executor his the son/husband’s estate do the same paperwork to transfer it to her (again, a tax-free transfer). I cannot stress the importance of finding that paperwork if it exists. You need that paperwork. It is your only proof the weapon was properly registered. BATF is supposed to have a registry of NFA owners, but the registry is in bad shape and contains errors, thus that paper is your only solid proof if BATF’s records are in error. If you cannot find the paperwork have the executors of both the father’s and the executor of the son’s estates serve a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act) upon the National Firearms Act Branch at BATF to see if any NFA weapons are/were registered in either of their names. If that turns up positive for either, you can use the info to have the executor of the estate of the registered owner complete a transfer of the weapon to the widow, her designee, or a beneficiary under the terms of the will or intestate succession.