Serial Number Issue SAPS520

[Franco]

Most likely explanation; Riflepermits has experienced this exact issue with Heym rifles vs SA police and is simply doing what you are paying them to do-makeing sure you have a seigt, trouble free arrival in DA

I'm sure you are correct.

 

[Philip Glass]

I think in this case rifle permits is just trying to keep you out of any trouble. I doubt the police would have a problem with it on arrival. Please keep us posted as to how it goes.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Never had that happen but don’t have any rifles marked like yours either.

I have had SAPs transcribe my S/N from the pre-approval wrong and make a big deal about it saying it was a huge issues and was going to be very costly. I’d used Mr X and had a copy of the Pre-Approval form I completed and submitted with the correct number. Mr X flipped the script on them showing it was their error and that it should cost them and they should pay me. SAPs got all flustered and rushed me out of their office in record time.

 

[ActionBob]

You and I are in total agreement, unfortunately, we are not the ones making those decisions. who knows what someone might decide needs to be included on a form, and once it starts - it's difficult to stop.

I made my first trip to Africa in the late 70's; I spent 2 days in the Minister of Aviation's office while an officer attempted to convert my FAA license to a local one by comparing my license to pictures of foreign licenses in a 2 volume set of manuals thicker than New York phone books.

He didn't understand what "Date of Issuance" meant - thought it was the expiration date and made the decision my license was invalid. Same thing happen in Brazil a couple years later.

In both instances, supervisors had to be brought in.

The point I'm trying make is some of these "rules" are arbitrary and isolated, but we are at their mercy.

I did speak with the travel agent handling my trip and he was quite surprised. He had just transited thru SA and said the police had him read the serial numbers to them - they never looked at them.

He is thinking this might in fact be an internal issue within Rifle Permits as he has never heard of them asking for pictures of the serial numbers. He will be contacting them and possibly switching to Mr X.

In any event, I drove to Shreveport with a new 4457.

I'll post any further info.

The Famous Mr X! At least that is how the airport workers were referring to him. I think he has everyone in that airport well greased I can't say if if he tips them or if is simply his very large personality. But he definitely gets things taken care of. When you work with him, it all goes very smoothly, just tip him well.

We landed in the morning, had a lost bag woth ammo in it. @Just Gina had Air Tags in the bags so pinpointed it in the airport. Mr. X sent a minion and it was quickly retrieved. We were flying out to Vic Falls straight away so had Mr. X take our guns including some rarher expensive ones, ammo and the bulk of our luggage to Afton to store for 5 days until our return. Three of us with 6 rifles. So I tipped him $200. Not saying that much is nessasary but he provided a lot of service.

On the other hand Henry has always come through for me and even rescued me when my rifle permits were in a bag that was stolen. (PH said he would watch our stuff as we were curio shopping but he couldn't resist coming in to negotiate with the shop owner, for a cut I'm sure). Henry had new permits waiting in the airport for me so I could leave with my guns. No small task and one that simply required Africa Sky to email copies to the PH but they apparently could not....

So great respect for Henry and Mr. X. But I won't use Africa Sky again.

 

[Franco]

I think in this case rifle permits is just trying to keep you out of any trouble. I doubt the police would have a problem with it on arrival. Please keep us posted as to how it goes.

Agreed, will do.

 

[trperk1]

Do what Henry at Rifle Permits asks of you

 

[Franco]

Do what Henry at Rifle Permits asks of you

Already done - as stated a few posts ago: "Done - drove to Shreveport, got a new 4457, some crawfish and beignets, and had a nice cigar on the drive home".

Here's what is curious, and I am noticing a pattern; I send in the requested documents, copies, pictures, whatever they request - and I'm told all is in order. I'm asked to verify, and when I do - again, "all is in order". Then, a week or so later - they've noticed a grave mistake which I must correct immediately.

I understand they have my best interest at heart; and I've been in Africa enough times to appreciate the complications a misspelling or transposed number can have, but they are not instilling a lot of confidence in the own ability.