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Old 03-04-2014, 11:08 PM
2152hq 2152hq is online now
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Import markings were mandated as of the '86 Crime Bill. That law once again allowed Military Surplus arms to begin to be imported into the USA
They had been banned from importation since the passage of the GCA ';68. Antique pre- 1899 excepted of course.
One of hypocrisys of the whole thing seemed to be that one of the few surplus rifles seen imported after that law passed were some certain Italian Carcanos.

Sporting Arms could still come into the USA after '68,,if they made the definition of 'sporting'.
One reason the 'point system' for handgun importation came into being in '68 and so many smaller pistols like the PPk didn't make it.

Everything imported,,sporting and Mil Surplus, had to be 'Import Marked' as of the '86 law.

The Norway "Colt" was never plentiful here. A few bring back guns from WW2 primarily. Many are WaffenAmpt marked as some were made when Germany occupied that country. It was a secondary issue sidearm for the German forces so they could have shown up anywhere over there. But they were never plentiful.
I can remember a few surplus guns being sold in the magazine ads before '68 but never in great quantitys.
Why buy a Norwegian 45 for $25 when you could have a real Colt War gun for $35 anyway.
I can remember a couple done up as Bullseye guns too.
Hard to find a good condition original now. There are alot of variations too for the collectors.

Last edited by 2152hq; 03-04-2014 at 11:35 PM.
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