tyr_shadowblade
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2006
- Messages
- 12,687
Hi.
I have a question about a gun that I assumed was an illegal SBS, but was recently advised might actually be a legal "loophole gun." Gun appears to be an inexpensive 410 break action single shot made in Brazil. No manufacturer listed. Has a serial number on the receiver. Breach opens by sliding the trigger guard. Pistol grip and forearm are very nice quality laminated tropical hardwood. IIRC, barrel was about 14" long, crowned, blued, and with a bead sight. This is owned by a friend in another state who inherited it from their father. Last year I advised them it was illegal and to destroy it, but do not know if this was done. However, doing an unrelated search on the T/C 357 "Hot Shot" barrel, I was informed that these guns were legally imported and distributed during the late 60s or early 70s by a company called "Walter Craig" as single shot 45 Colt "pistols" that could also chamber 410 shotshells, just like the more popular 45/410 Contender. Apparently, the barrels had very faint spiral "rifling" scratches (like in a Cobray 410 derringer) that allowed it to qualify for import. According to the story, ATF got mad and banned the importation of them and furthermore told Thompson to stop selling their 45/410 barrels. This led to the creation of the 357 and 44 Hot Shot shotshells. The case was later challenged in court, Thompson won, and ATF stopped going after 410 pistols as long as they had rifled bores (unlike the antique "Game Getter" and similar smoothbores).
Unfortunately, I do not have a pic and could not find one online. According to a couple of forum posts, these Brazilian "45 Colt pistols" (that could also chamber 410 shotshells) were very popular until the import ban due to their low price. I figured maybe some of you might've seen one and could possibly advise as to their collectability and current status with ATF?
Thanks.
I have a question about a gun that I assumed was an illegal SBS, but was recently advised might actually be a legal "loophole gun." Gun appears to be an inexpensive 410 break action single shot made in Brazil. No manufacturer listed. Has a serial number on the receiver. Breach opens by sliding the trigger guard. Pistol grip and forearm are very nice quality laminated tropical hardwood. IIRC, barrel was about 14" long, crowned, blued, and with a bead sight. This is owned by a friend in another state who inherited it from their father. Last year I advised them it was illegal and to destroy it, but do not know if this was done. However, doing an unrelated search on the T/C 357 "Hot Shot" barrel, I was informed that these guns were legally imported and distributed during the late 60s or early 70s by a company called "Walter Craig" as single shot 45 Colt "pistols" that could also chamber 410 shotshells, just like the more popular 45/410 Contender. Apparently, the barrels had very faint spiral "rifling" scratches (like in a Cobray 410 derringer) that allowed it to qualify for import. According to the story, ATF got mad and banned the importation of them and furthermore told Thompson to stop selling their 45/410 barrels. This led to the creation of the 357 and 44 Hot Shot shotshells. The case was later challenged in court, Thompson won, and ATF stopped going after 410 pistols as long as they had rifled bores (unlike the antique "Game Getter" and similar smoothbores).
Unfortunately, I do not have a pic and could not find one online. According to a couple of forum posts, these Brazilian "45 Colt pistols" (that could also chamber 410 shotshells) were very popular until the import ban due to their low price. I figured maybe some of you might've seen one and could possibly advise as to their collectability and current status with ATF?
Thanks.
