Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? - The Firearms Forum

kecklc · 11-08-2012, 09:24 PM

Currently overseas near Russia, have a friend who claims to have a 1911 from WWII. He says it was his grandfather's who brought it back from the war.

Is there a way for me to import it to the US if he wants to sell it? I thought I had heard there were problems importing military weapons back to the US after they had been given out. But, I thought I would ask and see if there was something I had heard wrong or if someone knew the correct way for me to bring the pistol back.

Dog Soldier · 11-08-2012, 09:49 PM

Buying illegal handguns from Russians?

How do you feel about spending the rest of your life in Sibera doing hard time?

kecklc · 11-08-2012, 09:57 PM

Well, I said I was near Russia, not in Russia. If you look online, there are quite a few 1911's that have been sent overseas as part of the Lend Lease or sales to foreign countries that are now back in the US, including some from Russia. Several are on auction sites, or appear to have come back by legal means, or have been posted as purchased by members of this forum. All I am asking is if someone can explain the process to me.

Dog Soldier · 11-08-2012, 10:04 PM

The guns you see are brought in by legal importers. My point is you are dealing in contraband in a country where you are not a citizen. You can get in trouble just discussing the purchase of handgun in some countries.

Texxut · 11-13-2012, 09:16 PM

Hang in there Kecklc, hopefully someone will come along, who knows something about your question and can give you a useful answer.
You could try going to the nearest US Consulate, and ask them.

Dog Soldier · 11-13-2012, 10:14 PM

You have just recieved information from someone who knows.

Jim K · 11-13-2012, 10:49 PM

An individual can obtain a license to import a firearm, but there is a fair amount of red tape and time to get approval. It is not the kind of thing you just do on a whim. The US also requires a statement from the exporting country saying that it is OK with them. Sometimes, it takes months or years for importers to arrange the whole thing and get all the papers signed. It is not that easy for an individual to do.

I will note that there seem to be quite a few of those Russian marked 1911's floating around in the European collector market today, and at least some are fake. A European collector posted some pictures on one of the sites a while back asking about one he was considering buying. I had to tell him it was fake.

Jim

Jackman · 11-14-2012, 04:26 PM

Good advice Dog Soldier!

Dog Soldier · 11-14-2012, 06:13 PM

Jackman, Yes I have seen more than one American citizen locked up over there. They have no idea how different the laws are. Then they and their families spend a fortune and years getting them back home.

JLA · 11-14-2012, 08:15 PM

its just a 1911.. dime a dozen over here in the states.. for now.. Your best bet is to leave it where it is and just buy one thats already here.

Improting requires an importers license and the stuff youre inporting has to be signed off on by both governments.

Jim K · 11-15-2012, 12:11 PM

I really wouldn't call Russian contract 1911's a "dime a dozen" (the Blue Book rates one at almost $10k), but getting one in Europe and trying to bring it back is certainly not worth the problems that could arise if a law is violated. Legal fees and court costs, plus fines and possible jail time if convicted, will make $10k seem pretty cheap. And the gun is lost to boot.

Not to mention that the gun might not even be genuine. We have all heard the stories about how "my father brought this S&W Model 29 back from WWII and he used it to shoot Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo .... "

Jim

JLA · 11-15-2012, 01:15 PM

I meant 1911s in general jim. I know full well what russian len lease 1911s are worth

Inthewind1976 · 11-26-2012, 02:07 AM

lmao @ JimK - HILARIOUS...............love it!!

deadin · 11-26-2012, 11:31 AM

It might be cheaper to have a set of Russian property dies made...

Jim K · 11-26-2012, 03:35 PM

Actually the marking reads "English order" in Russian. No one seems sure when or by whom the marking was applied. Some collectors think it was factory, but AFAIK there is no proof of that, and it might have been applied in England.

The pictures I saw of the fake gun showed crude and misspelled markings; no one having seen a picture of the originals, or even a Russian dictionary, could have been fooled.

Jim

11-08-2012, 09:24 PM	#1
kecklc Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Currently overseas near Russia, have a friend who claims to have a 1911 from WWII. He says it was his grandfather's who brought it back from the war. Is there a way for me to import it to the US if he wants to sell it? I thought I had heard there were problems importing military weapons back to the US after they had been given out. But, I thought I would ask and see if there was something I had heard wrong or if someone knew the correct way for me to bring the pistol back. -->

11-08-2012, 09:49 PM	#2
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Buying illegal handguns from Russians? How do you feel about spending the rest of your life in Sibera doing hard time?

11-08-2012, 09:57 PM	#3
kecklc Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Well, I said I was near Russia, not in Russia. If you look online, there are quite a few 1911's that have been sent overseas as part of the Lend Lease or sales to foreign countries that are now back in the US, including some from Russia. Several are on auction sites, or appear to have come back by legal means, or have been posted as purchased by members of this forum. All I am asking is if someone can explain the process to me.

11-08-2012, 10:04 PM	#4
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? The guns you see are brought in by legal importers. My point is you are dealing in contraband in a country where you are not a citizen. You can get in trouble just discussing the purchase of handgun in some countries.

11-13-2012, 09:16 PM	#5
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 264	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Hang in there Kecklc, hopefully someone will come along, who knows something about your question and can give you a useful answer. You could try going to the nearest US Consulate, and ask them. Last edited by Texxut; 11-13-2012 at 09:17 PM.. Reason: Additional info.

11-13-2012, 10:14 PM	#6
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? You have just recieved information from someone who knows.

11-13-2012, 10:49 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? An individual can obtain a license to import a firearm, but there is a fair amount of red tape and time to get approval. It is not the kind of thing you just do on a whim. The US also requires a statement from the exporting country saying that it is OK with them. Sometimes, it takes months or years for importers to arrange the whole thing and get all the papers signed. It is not that easy for an individual to do. I will note that there seem to be quite a few of those Russian marked 1911's floating around in the European collector market today, and at least some are fake. A European collector posted some pictures on one of the sites a while back asking about one he was considering buying. I had to tell him it was fake. Jim

11-14-2012, 04:26 PM	#8
Jackman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 446	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Good advice Dog Soldier!

11-14-2012, 06:13 PM	#9
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Jackman, Yes I have seen more than one American citizen locked up over there. They have no idea how different the laws are. Then they and their families spend a fortune and years getting them back home.

11-14-2012, 08:15 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,327	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? its just a 1911.. dime a dozen over here in the states.. for now.. Your best bet is to leave it where it is and just buy one thats already here. Improting requires an importers license and the stuff youre inporting has to be signed off on by both governments. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-15-2012, 12:11 PM	#11
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? I really wouldn't call Russian contract 1911's a "dime a dozen" (the Blue Book rates one at almost $10k), but getting one in Europe and trying to bring it back is certainly not worth the problems that could arise if a law is violated. Legal fees and court costs, plus fines and possible jail time if convicted, will make $10k seem pretty cheap. And the gun is lost to boot. Not to mention that the gun might not even be genuine. We have all heard the stories about how "my father brought this S&W Model 29 back from WWII and he used it to shoot Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo .... " Jim Last edited by Jim K; 11-15-2012 at 12:14 PM..

11-15-2012, 01:15 PM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,327	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? I meant 1911s in general jim. I know full well what russian len lease 1911s are worth __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-26-2012, 02:07 AM	#13
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? lmao @ JimK - HILARIOUS...............love it!!

11-26-2012, 11:31 AM	#14
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 858	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? It might be cheaper to have a set of Russian property dies made...

11-26-2012, 03:35 PM	#15
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Can I import Russian Lend Lease 1911? Actually the marking reads "English order" in Russian. No one seems sure when or by whom the marking was applied. Some collectors think it was factory, but AFAIK there is no proof of that, and it might have been applied in England. The pictures I saw of the fake gun showed crude and misspelled markings; no one having seen a picture of the originals, or even a Russian dictionary, could have been fooled. Jim