DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY BUREAU OF
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS WASHINGTON, DC 20226
FEB
2 3
1999 903050:EMO 3311
Mr. Curtis Debord American Arms
Delta 1469 Greg Street Sparks, Nevada 89431
Dear Mr. Debord:
This refers to the semiautomatic firearm
that was received in this office on February 1, 1999, for
classification.,
Examination of the submitted sample,
serial number AM0001, indicates that it is a semiautomatic firearm,
in caliber .303 British, that is based on the design of the Vickers
machinegun. The receiver has been originally designed and manufactured
to permit only semiautomatic fire.
The right side plate has been
manufactured with two integral steel rails that protrude from the
inside of the plate, into the receiver cavity. These rails begin at
the rear of the trunion and extend approximately 7 7/8 inches toward
the rear of the side plate. The upper rail is approximately 7/16 inch
in height, and the lower rail is approximately 1/4 inch in height.
The rails protrude approximately .069 inches in to the receiver
cavity. The purpose of the rails is to prevent the installation of
standard Vickers machinegun recoil plates. The opening for the bolt
block in the recoil plates have also been modified to prevent the
installation of a standard Vickers machinegun bolt block.
A steel plate approximately 1 21/32
inches in length and approximately 3/16 inch in thickness is pinned
and welded to each side plate in the area of the top cover hinge.
This plate contains a sliding firing linkage. This plate prevents a
standard Vickers machinegun bolt block assembly from being installed
into the weapon
-2-
Mr. Curtis Debord
A Vickers machinegun bolt block assembly
has been redesigned by machining away an area approximately 1 5/8
inches in length by 3/8 inch deep from the front upper area of the bolt
block. The bolt slide face has also been reduced in height by
approximately 1/4 inch. A pivoting and sliding sear plate has been
attached to the sear and is located in the described machined
away area of the bolt block. This sear plate is designed to slide
under the plate welded between the side plates and tilt upwards to
engage the sear linkage. The lugs on the bottom of the bolt block have
been reshaped to make them compatible with the altered recoil
plates.
The redesigned mechanism incorporates a
positive disconnector that prevents the weapon from firing more than
one shot for each function of the trigger. Additionally, standard
Vickers machinegun, firing pins, sears and firing pin springs are not
compatible with the redesigned weapon.
You also indicated that the side plates
will be welded to the trunion in production versions of the
weapon. Additionally, the bottom plate will be welded to each side
plate.
Based on the above examination, the
sample as submitted is classified as a firearm as that term
is defined in 18 U.S.C., Chapter 44, section 921(A)(3). Please be
advised that this determination is based on a firearm using a newly
designed and manufactured right side plate in the above described
configuration. If the design, dimensions, method or
construction, materials used or configuration are changed,
this classification is subject to review.
-3-
Mr. Curtis Debord
The sample is being returned under
separate cover.
We trust that the foregoing has been
responsive to your inquiry. If we can be of any further assistance,
please contact us.
Sincerely
yours,
Edward
M. Owen,
Jr. Chief,
Firearms Technology Branch
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