Legality of Marble Arms Game Getter Model 1908

ToolAA · Feb 18, 2021

I have long time friend who was telling me about a pistol with a folding stock that he inherited. He mentioned to me that he thought the pistol was illegal. However he sent me photos and this thing with the stock extended is 29” long so I said I think it’s legal.

He sent me the following link and something read online which states they are Federally Illegal.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/55/811/marbles-arms-mfg-co-game-getter-combination-22-44

The first Model 1908 left the factory in 1909, and continued in production till 1914.* Production ceased during WW1.* The Game Getter came in three standard barrel lengths:* 12", 15", and 18", with special orders down to 3" or up to 22".* Unfortunately barrel length is what led to the rarity of Marble's "Game Getter" guns on the open market today.* They were legislated out of existence (sounds familiar, doesn't it!) by the US National Firearms Act of 1934, which banned shotguns with barrel lengths less than 18" long.

The Marble's Game Getter is on the BATFE Curio & Relics list, however it was not removed from the National Firearms Act. Therefore, it must be registered under NFA or it is contraband.

So I told him about the brain trust here and said that someone should know the status or can confirm that the item is indeed NFA and therefore needs to be registered.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

I think it's an SBR unless there is an exception like there is for the C96 Mauser. Unless it's a smooth bore.

mauser58 · Feb 18, 2021

Looks like a primitive built survival piece. Folds to backpack it.

ToolAA · Feb 18, 2021

teratos said:
I think it's an SBR unless there is an exception like there is for the C96 Mauser. Unless it's a smooth bore.

Seriously a 111 yr old SBR... some A-hole at ATF would probably say it needs to be confiscated and then it will end up in museum or worse his basement.

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

ToolAA said:
Seriously a 111 yr old SBR... some A-hole at ATF would probably say it needs to be confiscated and then it will end up in museum or worse his basement.

Have him check. I read that they DID make some that were smooth bore. That would not be NFA.

Inigoes · Feb 18, 2021

If it is a black powder pistol, then it isnt considered a firearm at all.

44 Game Getter Ball cartridge, loaded with 30 grains of black powder and a 115-grain, . 425" diameter round ball, produced about 1000 fps, having ballistics similar to a Civil War-era .

benton0311 · Feb 18, 2021

Wow, a Marble Game Getter, I remember reading about these years ago. If I recall, they are NFA C&R so they can ship direct to an 03 FFL after the Form 4 has cleared.

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

Inigoes said:
If it is a black powder pistol, then it isnt considered a firearm at all.

So....a 45-70 machine gun is GTG?

Inigoes · Feb 18, 2021

teratos said:
So....a 45-70 machine gun is GTG?

Gatling guns are GTG, epps1911 demonstrated that

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

Inigoes said:
Gatling guns are GTG, epps1911 demonstrated that

True story.

benton0311 · Feb 18, 2021

Gatling guns are not machine guns since they're hand cranked. They're also pre-1898 if original so they're considered antiques and thus not firearms under federal law.

Black powder is not the determining factor, being a muzzle vs breech loader is. If it takes metallic cartridges, regardless of the propellent used in those cartridges, then it is considered a modern firearm (if after 1898).

The Marble has both a rifled barrel and a smoothbore barrel, over/under.

Look them up. I think they're neat little - not sure what to call them - shotcarbinepistols. They serve as perfect examples of how completely asinine the NFA is. Handy little foraging firearms that could be easily carried, stowed, or packed and used to take a large variety of game. How cool would be be if you could buy a modern version of one of these in .22/20 gauge as a pack carbine without dealing with NFA asshattery?

epps1919 · Feb 18, 2021

Working on my .22 cal one right now. If you put a motor on it then it’s NFA

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

epps1919 said:
Working on my .22 cal one right now. If you put a motor on it then it’s NFA View attachment 307430

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's very nice. You do amazing work.

ToolAA · Feb 18, 2021

benton0311 said:
Wow, a Marble Game Getter, I remember reading about these years ago. If I recall, they are NFA C&R so they can ship direct to an 03 FFL after the Form 4 has cleared.

Of that is the case, how does he legally take possession of something that has been in his family for generations. His grandfather died in 1984... Does he have to fill out the paperwork to transfer it to himself?

Doctor_M · Feb 18, 2021

I think that Game getters are exempt from NFA like the stevens pocket rifles etc. There was a time when they were banned, but I think they are now exempt. I see them for sale on gunbroker as C&R with no requirements for a form 4.

KH195 · Feb 18, 2021

ToolAA said:
Of that is the case, how does he legally take possession of something that has been in his family for generations. His grandfather died in 1984... Does he have to fill out the paperwork to transfer it to himself?

If it’s never been registered in its history after the NFA came about or during the amnesty period, I don’t know that there is any way he can “legally” take possession of it in its current form. If ANY federal registration paperwork can be found that mentions the gun, there may be a chance...I’ve heard of people calling the ATF anonymously via a lawyer to inquire about the registration status of NFA items that have been found in family member’s attics and such. If it turns out it’s been registered in the past, there may be a chance.

KH195 · Feb 18, 2021

Doctor_M said:
I think that Game getters are exempt from NFA like the stevens pocket rifles etc. There was a time when they were banned, but I think they are now exempt. I see them for sale on gunbroker as C&R with no requirements for a form 4.

They haven’t been removed from NFA unfortunately:

Section IV — NFA firearms classified as curios or relics, still subject to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, the National Firearms Act, and 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Marble's Game Getter firearms, with combination cal.’s .44 or .410 gauge smooth bore and cal. .22 barrels, both first and second Models, with barrel lengths of less than 18", mfd. by the Marble Arms Corporation of Gladstone, MI, prior to 1943.

teratos · Feb 18, 2021

ToolAA said:
Of that is the case, how does he legally take possession of something that has been in his family for generations. His grandfather died in 1984... Does he have to fill out the paperwork to transfer it to himself?

Either STFU, or permanently attach a muzzle device.

Again. Have him check the bore. If the bore is smooth he’s gtg.

KH195 · Feb 18, 2021

teratos said:
Either STFU, or permanently attach a muzzle device.

Again. Have him check the bore. If the bore is smooth he’s gtg.

.

somd_mustangs · Feb 18, 2021

Again. Have him check the bore. If the bore is smooth he’s gtg.

no, he's not. it's an "SBS"

ATF 5300.11 Section IV: NFA firearms classified as curios or relics, still subject to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, the National Firearms Act, and 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, the Gun Control Act of 1968.

"Marble's Game Getter firearms, with combination cal.’s .44 or .410 gauge smooth bore and cal. .22 barrels, both first and second Models, with barrel lengths of less than 18", mfd. by the Marble Arms Corporation of Gladstone, MI, prior to 1943."

I was in a local shop that had just received a beautiful H&R Handi-Gun smooth bore .410 - and they had to turn it over to the ATF. Stupid but there you have it.

Legality of Marble Arms Game Getter Model 1908

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