Custerman: You are fairly correct. However most of the searches were prior to shipboard going home and had none after that that I know of. Almost anything non-
G.I. could be sent home including any foreign weapons from enemy countries that
was not stricltly against our gun laws then. At wars end I sent many packages of foreign "things" home including weapons and new unbarreled Mauser actions, parts, paintings, and the likes. All packages were recieved by the Treasury Dept., Bureau of Customs and then after inspection (or taking out what they wanted for themselves or friends), as sent to the addressee. In my case someone wanted my Mauser .22 cal target rifle I sent home. I did not open any of the boxes imediately on returning and found out this Mauser .22 was "confiscated" by soneone and my writing and complaining did no good. See photo of THEIR REPLY. Sending or bringing back any legal "trophies" was simple if one obeyed the rules and few of us wished to be caught doing it illegaly as it would hold up our return home. The reat of the things I sent or brought home arived safely and no Duty Charges were incured.