BATF Rules and Conversion Cylinders

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I just made a post over on another board and I'm hoping somebody can point me to a BATF document that speaks to what I said.

This is about cutting the frame of a Cap & Ball revolver, particularly the 1858 Remington, and adding a loading port so that a conversion cylinder such as the Kirst style can be reloaded without removing the cylinder from the frame. I am speaking about when a private citizen makes such a modification, not a licensed FFL nor a manufacturer. For quite some time now I have heard it said on various cowboy boards that altering the frame of a C&B revolver by cutting such a groove permanently changes the gun in the eyes of the BATF from a percussion revolver to a cartridge handgun, no matter which cylinder is in the gun, percussion or cartridge. Furthermore, it has been said many times that once such an alteration has been made, the gun can no longer be sold, but the modifier must keep it forever.

Is anybody else familiar with this?

Can anybody refer me to specific information regarding this restriction?

Thanks

[wildman1]

Driftwood ya should be able ta find the info ya need at   (atf.gov). WM

[Slowhand Bob]

Not an expert BUT from info I have seen bandied about on the puter I would think you are right DJ.  My confusion started when gun smiths got involved, it seems they can build you one but it still comes under the same rules as if you had built it yourself???  Seems some special interpretations have been used for the black powder conversion process?  I did not save the issue but I think GOTOW (?)ran a purty good article on the whole process several years back and it talked about the legal stuff a bit with the red-neckeze translations provided.

[Springfield Slim]

My take on it was that you can do it but if you ever want to sell it it has to go through an FFL like a regular cartridge handgun.

[Pony Racer]

DJ, I will see if I can get a BATFE specialist to answer this.

I think SS is right that once the permanent mods are made - to sell it - it has to be treated like any modern handgun.

It might take a little bit - but I will get back to you.

PR - aka CDR Mike Balding, USCG