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Bulseyetom
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Taking a rifle into Canada
Yesterday at 1:36pm
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I am contemplating going on a Bear Hunt in Canada next year and looked to see what it took to declare a rifle.  One thing that is required is a serial number.  I really want to take my Remington Rolling Block that has been rebuilt by somebody in the past that ground everything down smooth and case colored the action.  There are no marks on the tang.  I haven't pulled the stock off to see what is there.  The barrel is a newer one chambered in 38-56.  Deciding that might not be a rifle that I could use, I dug out my Remington #5 that has been converted to a 50-70 and it still has the patent dates on the tang but no visible serial number.  Again, I have not removed the stock.  How would I go about checking with the Canadian Customs and has anybody successfully declared an old antique rifle with on serial number.  It is not like a Rolling Block is a terrorist weapon but our president is not making any friends in Canada.  Thanks for any help.  Tom
  
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Jonathan
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #1 - yesterday at 1:51pm
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I would have to say that unless you have a particular reason to go to Canada other than the hunt why go through the aggravation. American bears and 50/70s go together like ham and eggs.
  
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George Babits
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #2 - yesterday at 2:21pm
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The military Remington rolling blocks don't have any serial numbers on them, just some assembly numbers usually on the side of the upper tang.   Thus, anything built on one of the common military actions will not have a serial number.  You could probably just stamp a string of numbers on the lower tang and call it a serial number.

George
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #3 - yesterday at 2:33pm
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I'm in Canada so haven't experienced what it's like coming from America with a rifle into Canada ( other than as a Canadian citizen returning from matches in America ).  Just like you guys, we do have plenty of old guns with no serial numbers and no problems with that.  If it were me I'd see if I could call the particular crossing that you want to use and see what they say.  They aren't likely to be that concerned about an old black powder single shot rifle.  At least they haven't been about mine.  Often they are just curious.  But I don't know about the experiences as an American.  I imagine they'd be more concerned that you also have a hand gun which they seem to be more focused on.   

Chris.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #4 - yesterday at 2:52pm
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Border police are not gun guys, so I'd remove the buttstock and check the assembly numbers and write them down. Then when you cross tell them where the "serial number" is and be prepared to remove the stock to show them.
  

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RJ-35-40
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #5 - yesterday at 8:03pm
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The Canadian's are Great people, the country side is beautiful.... The Government wiennies not so much.

I used to fly for a living..... The stories about bad experiences with Customs and immigration abound. I've witnessed the gov officials go into full interrogation mode on many occasions. 

Confiscating / Seizing bank accounts of protestors is a bridge too far.
I avoided trips there then and now that I'm retired you couldn't pay me to go there. 

For some reason Customs and immigration think they are entitled to know every detail of your life....

Their Autocratic policies are very distasteful. I've often wondered if being aggressive in that way is baked into the job description or has the population become used to being dictated to...

We have bad police here too, at least in America you can tell police
that 'I'm sorry sir I don't believe you have the necessary clearance for me to share that information with you.....'   


gunlaker wrote yesterday at 2:33pm:
I'm in Canada so haven't experienced what it's like coming from America with a rifle into Canada ( other than as a Canadian citizen returning from matches in America ).  Just like you guys, we do have plenty of old guns with no serial numbers and no problems with that.  If it were me I'd see if I could call the particular crossing that you want to use and see what they say.  They aren't likely to be that concerned about an old black powder single shot rifle.  At least they haven't been about mine.  Often they are just curious.  But I don't know about the experiences as an American.  I imagine they'd be more concerned that you also have a hand gun which they seem to be more focused on.   

Chris.

  
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gunlaker
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #6 - yesterday at 8:26pm
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Yeah I've had similar issues crossing from Canada into Washington state.  You give some people a little authority and it goes to their heads and they become tyrants.

Chris.
  
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craigd
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #7 - yesterday at 8:48pm
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I would guess it's pure discretionary, but my experience has smooth and easy. Still, my strategy was to bring something that I wouldn't get too broken up if it was impounded, even for a traffic stop or game check out in the field.
  
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Arctic
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Re: Taking a rifle into Canada
Reply #8 - yesterday at 10:35pm
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Just create a # and mark it somewhere that it can be seen, and your outfitter should be able to pre send you the customs form, .... just don't sign until you're in the presence of a customs officer.
And have a letter from your outfitter inviting you.
Worked for my clients for years.
  
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