Shipping a JC Higgins 51 to a C&R

wizbanger

A member of GB has asked if I would ship a J.C. Higgins Model 51 bolt action to a C&R license. The only reference I can find is the Blue Book, which says the J.C. Higgins name was used by Sears on firearms until 1962, which puts it very close to the fifty year mark. Does anyone have any other info?

He Dog

I looked at Numrich's crossover list and found no mod. 51 listed. I had thought of looking at the years of production of the underlying model as a guide to the years of production to the 51. Would not be certain, but an indication. You might try the Blue Book, I don't buy it.

TWalker

The Sears (JC Higgins) Model 51's were listed in the Gun Digest as late as 1964 (Model 51L). That's 49 years ago so some Model 51L's possibly wouldn't qualify as C&R. The Model 51 with no suffix letter L, was made several years earlier and also discontinued when the 51L came along in the early 60's. My opinion is that a Model 51 would be OK for C&R but 51L's would not. However, ATF might consider all 51's as the same and one could possibly be under 50 years old. If I were selling a M51 I would require an 01 FFL unless I found M51's on the ATF C&R list.

chiefr

The problem with many JCH firearms is they are not serial numbered. So you do not know when they were made. I have 2 such examples: A shotgun and a 22.
I would suggest a call to the ATF. I always make notes of when I call and write down names. Answers are not always the same.


Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the GCA of 68 made serial numbers mandatory.

TRAP55

FN made the action, High Standard made the barrels. The Model 51 was made from 1955 to 1959, it's a C&R.

wizbanger

Thanks. That's what I was looking for.