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.

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.

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 on Sep 30^th, 2026 at 2:33pm:

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.

I won't ever attempt to go to Canada with any firearm. Ever. 
Once, I was going into BC from Montana and they hauled me in and searched my truck. Having mucked anything I thought was questionable, it only mildly peeved me until they found- a single .22 round! Whereupon the 'team' nearly dismantled my pickup- down to inspecting the inside of the air cleaner and dumping the contents of my bed box into the floor of the bed. Ever seen a couple of hundred fishing flies scattered among tools, blankets, assorted traveling necesseties and all the coruption seen in a storage box? Over a .22 shell in contradiction to my statement that nothing to claimed was aboard. Months later I was still finding flies with no idea how many were lost entirely. I don't need that again.

The border can be a bit of a crap shoot in either direction.  Most of the time I've found it pretty good.  About 1/2 the time I've been waived through and the other 1/2 had to go in for secondary inspection.  Most of that was fine other than once I had a CBP guy at the Blaine crossing into Washington state gouge up a brand new extra fancy Shiloh.  Had to be on purpose I think.  I only discovered it after opening my Pelican case a few days later in Colorado.  Even the pewter tip had a big groove in it.  But mostly it's been good.  I wouldn't ever bring anything really nice across the border where someone gets to handle it without me being there to watch.   

Chris.

I'd be really surprised if an outfitter wouldn't lend a rifle so you don't have to deal with potential border problems, but it would more than likely be a modern bolt action than a neat old single shot.

I have sent an inquiry to the Canadian Customs explaining how my rifle never had a serial number and is at least 130 years old with ammo that was obsolete 50 years ago.  Will report on their reply if I get one.  I have other old rifles with serial numbers but I really like a Rolling Block.  Other choices would be my Hepburn in 40-70 SS, my Borchardt in 30/40 Ackley Improved, a High Wall in 30-40 or even a Model 94 in 38-55.  My biggest problem is if I will be able to get out of bed in another year!     Tom

I am with Marlin Guy on this one.  They don't know an assembly number from anything else.  Use the assembly number on the Receiver Tang.