Surprise!

[maxim08]

I volunteer with a smalll regional museum in Ontario.
We recently had an open house where I was approached by another member.
He had 'an old gun' and was aware that I liked old guns. Did I want it? He had it under his work bench for 30 years and decided he didn't like guns, whereupon he hauled out a hefty package wrapped in garbage bags.
I started unwrapping and the first thing I saw was a pretty big magazine followed by a pretty hefty receiver. Obviously military I think to myself, pull back the plastic and there is a beat to heck M1918 BAR!
I dropped the magazine (a bit heart in mouth due to its weight) and its full of rounds. Trying to clear the action, nothing moves so is it a) rust; b) locked up/safe or c) welded.
Mind you, I need reading glasses, its low-light and this is the first BAR I've seen since Kirby lugged one through France on Combat in the '60's.
With better optics I determined that it was welded solid (except the mag release), missing some bits and pretty ratty.
Here's the question: he doesn't want it, there are no de-ac papers. What options do I have to take it away short of doing a current de-activation (the barrel is clear and the mag needs pinning)?
If there is any interest, I will post a couple of photos later.
Regards,
Maxim08

 

[Bittermansbro]

Very neat! Pics would be great

 

[stencollector]

If it can't easily be made to fire then it is not a firearm. The mag of course has to be either pinned or welded, but does not have to be welded into the gun. There is no requirement to update an old dewat to the new specs and their is no paperwork or certificate proovng that a dewat is a dewat.

You could run a blind pin into the chamber and weld up the open end if you wanted to make sure it won't cause you any trouble, but as it stands now it is not a gun.

The current deactivation guidelines have no force in law, and this was even stated clearly by the judge in a case in Alberta. They do have to be followed if you are signing a declaration that a currently registered gun is rendered deactivated.

 

[maxim08]

Thanks for the info stencollector. (hey, I've got one of those!)

Here are a couple of images. In the light of day it's apparent that this would be great high up on a wall in dim light.
The barrel has been cut twice and the receiver half way through. It would of helped if the welder had lined the barrel bits up first before putting the torch to it.
I think I'll keep it until a better one comes along. If I can find a barrel in one piece, and remove most of the black paint, it could look decent from the selector side.

If anyone has info on how this should be finished, let me know.

Regards,
Maxim

 

[stencollector]

Thats quite typical for the ones I have seen here in Canada. The receivers were normally torched in half, and the barrel torched in half about 2 or 3 " down. The metal is a bugger to weld, as it is some kind of an aluminum/steel alloy. If you do a search back a couple years, it seems this discussion has been held here before.

 

[John Sukey]

It's more likely the rifle has been last fired with corrosive primed ammo and NOT cleaned.
Had a friend a long time ago who did just that, The gas piston rusted in place. We had a heck of a time freeing it up.

 

[Bojangles]

I found one too..........

I got a call from a fellow who had said he had a "Classroom BAR" that I might be interested it. It is eight feet long, made from cast aluminum and all the internal mechanism is visible for training purposes. Certainly a conversation piece................. cheers...