The BATFE has promulgated regulations regarding the manufacture of a class 3 firearm. Specifically, the requirements for identification/engraving are set forth in BATFE Publication 5300.4 -27 CFR 479.102
The regulation specifies that any gun manufactured, imported, or made on and after January, 2002 must have the manufacturers information engraved, cast, stamped by impression, at a minimum depth of .003″ with a height no smaller than 1/16″ on the frame, receiver, or barrel.
The required information on an Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) or Short Barreled Shotgun (SBS) is:
1. The model (if such one exists),
2. Caliber or gauge,
3. The manufacturer’s name (or recognized abbreviation), and if applicable
4. The city and state (or recognized abbreviation), where you as the manufacturer made the firearm, if it is domestically manufactured.
UPDATE: Effective 1/20/09, the BATFE has reversed its decision to allow abbreviations of trust names. The entire trust name must now be engraved. Ironically, an individual on Ar-15.com recently posted an error letter, dated 1/20/09, for his application because he abbreviated his trust’s name. See the error letter here. However, one may be able to obtain a variance from the BATFE for the required marking. If information on marking variances, see Guide to Marking Variances.
Published by Joshua Prince, Esq.
With our 2nd Amendment rights being attacked at both the Federal and State level, and the ATF (Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) trying to close down FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) for minor infractions while making FFLs the scapegoat when the ATF's records are inaccurate, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am one of only a handful of attorneys across the US that practices in the niche area of law known as firearms law. I decided to concentrate my legal practice on firearms law not only because I am a shooter and firearms enthusiast, but also to ensure that our inalienable Right to Keep and Bear Arms is never encroached upon.
I handle cases at the Federal and State level for both FFLs and individuals. At the federal and state levels for individuals, I actively defend the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 21 of the PA Constitution, as well as, help individuals with:
- License to Carry Firearms Denials;
- Challenges to Erroneous PICS Denials;
- Relief from Firearms Disabilities;
- Estate Planning Advice;
- Gun/NFA Trusts; and
- 42 USC 1983 Actions for Deprivation of Civil Rights
At both the state and federal levels, I represent FFLs and SOTs throughout Pennsylvania and the US regarding:
- ATF Compliance Inspections;
- Warning Letters and Hearings;
- FFL Revocations;
- Corporate Structure Advice
- Indoor/Outdoor Range Implementation; and
- Forfeiture Proceedings
In following my love for firearms and firearms law, I have taught several Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on Firearms in Estates and Trusts and Firearms Law 101 for several Bar Associations, including Berks, Cumberland, and Dauphin Counties. I also planned and taught several Firearms in Estates CLE classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI).
While at Widener Law School, I was a member of the Widener Law Journal. I wrote an article on the Inaccuracy of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). I also had an article published on Fee Disputes in Workers Compensation cases in the Widener Law Journal, Volume 18, No. 2.
You can often find me posting on several internet forums, including Subguns, Uzitalk, AR15, and PAFOA. I also hold PA Firearms Law classes for local ranges to inform the public on the firearm laws of the Commonwealth.
Following in my father's footsteps, I am also a Board member for the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL).
View all posts by Joshua Prince, Esq.
Prince Law Offices Blog 
One thought on “BATFE Engraving Requirements for a Short-Barreled Rifle/Shotgun (SBR – SBS)”