diff --git a/databroker/client.py b/databroker/client.py
index 09ccd0642..2f234b1d7 100644
--- a/databroker/client.py
+++ b/databroker/client.py
@@ -253,16 +253,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
                     pass
             return self._lookup_by_partial_uid(key)
         elif isinstance(key, numbers.Integral):
-            # Handle large values, such as numpy.int64
-            max_int_value = 2**31 - 1  ## 32-bit signed integer
-            if abs(key) <= max_int_value:
-                key = int(key)
-            else:
-                reason = " ".join(
-                    f"Integer key must be less than +/-{max_int_value};",
-                    f"cannot convert value {key} of type {type(key)}."
-                )
-                raise KeyError(reason)
             if key > 0:
                 # CASE 2: Interpret key as a scan_id.
                 return self._lookup_by_scan_id(key)