I went back to the store and tool a better photo of the inside of the receiver and the top seam. Is this a dummy side plate or real? If it is dummy then is it legal to buy? Thanks

 

 

 

 

Should I notify the antique shop regarding what they might have?

Looks like a dummy to me

are you interested in buying it? just my opinion... I don't know enough about side plates to know if it is a completed side plate or not...BUT IMO the gun is welded shut, with no internals, steel rivets removed and replaced with nuts and bolts..and has been demilled....

 

IIRC I had to countersink the inside of my plates to installed screws from the inside out to allow the bolt to operate without obstruction....meaning the bolt will not fit with the bolts and nuts securing the bottom

 

I understand where there could be legalities of owning IF the side plate is complete...but from what I see, it is just a paperweight...I would have no problem using it as a display...even in Delaware where there are no allowances for full auto....

Thanks for the info guys. Too confusing and not worth the risk. I will pass.

The right sideplate is obviously thicker than the left (on a legit full auto sideplate the left and right would be effectively be the same thickness). The trunnion was narrowed to accommodate the thicker right plate and allow the plate to still fit inside the width of the bottom plate. No standard internal fire control parts will fit inside (even if you broke the welds) so it's a legit dummy gun. As with any dummy gun, it's legitimacy is generally dependent on the dummy you will have to explain this to. Course it has no orange tip, so you run the risk of being shot while holding it regardless of it's actual functionality.