antique handguns do not require ffl?

[93-2.3]

i was looking on auction arms at antiques found lots of revolvers in like .22 amd .22 short .32 and .38 s&w they are almost saying no ffl needed is that true i know black powders dont require ffl i thought any handgun taking a metalic case required ffl to buy? please set me straight on the rules

[PA Rifleman]

As I understand the antique topic:

Any firearm made before December 31, 1898 does not fall under the 1968 Gun Control Act, and does not require an FFL.

The same applies to copies of pre-1899 guns, so black powder guns and their replicas are also exempt. Whether it takes a cartridge or loose components (like a muzzleloader) is irrelevant, except in the case of continued production. Modern copies of Colt cartridge pistols -are- modern firearms, but originals aren't. This is where cartridges affect the status. So, a modern reproduction of a Colt Peacemaker (uses .45 Colt ammunition) is a modern gun, but a modern repro of a Colt 1860 Army (muzzleloader) isn't a modern gun. Ditto with other cartridge guns that existed before 1899 and remained in production afterwards.

The number of pre-1899 guns that can handle modern ammunition is very limited, but they do exist. The most frequent example I see are early Mosin-Nagant rifles, but these sell for a premium.

Here are a few examples:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=116256490
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=116347912
http://www.gunsnammo.com/
http://www.antiquefirearms.org/blog/

Both of these rifles should fire modern 7.62x54R without a problem provided neither rifle doesn't have any mechanical problems, particularly headspace.

Note that any Mosin made before January 1, 1899 is an antique, but the same rifle made 24 hours later is a modern firearm.

There are a fair number number of folks that lack this understanding on several different levels, so sometimes pre-1899 guns are sold with 4473 requirements and vice-versa.

More info:
http://www.rawles.to/Pre-1899_FAQ.html

[indianjack]

Also you can buy a cap and ball pistol and a converter cylinder to use modern ammo. Midwest supply sells both, no FFL needed.

[93-2.3]

wow this is a little confusing to me but thank you

[original gunner]

now all I need is $1800 to pick up that confederate civil war carbine...

[indianjack]

Here's 1 you can get for less than $1,800

**NEW ADDITION** 16294 CIVIL WAR BURNSIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE “MODEL 1864” - Serial number 5143, .54 caliber. This is the so-called “fifth model” made starting in 1863 (even though marked Model 1864) which added the guide screw in the side of the frame for smoother opening of the breech. This clever design was that of a Rhode Island Governor and a poor General in the Union Army, Ambrose E. Burnside, whose luxuriant whiskers gave rise to the term sideburns. This simple and sturdy design uses a lever to open the breech which hinges downward, exposing the chamber in the breechblock (somewhat like the old Hall breechloaders). These used a metallic cartridge that was tapered toward the rear, so it would slip into the chamber, and the front of the cartridge had a large rounded belt which sealed the joint between the breechblock and the barrel as it was closed. The back of the cartridge had a small hole and it was ignited by a standard percussion cap applied to an external nipple. Although it was externally primed, the first Burnsides entered service in 1862, becoming the first regular issue U.S. arm using a metallic cartridge (albeit externally primed). Eventually about 55,000 were used by the Union Army with only the Sharps and Spencer being more widely used. Burnsides first saw action at the battle of Manassas (Bull Run) in 1861, in the hands of Col. Burnside’s own 1st Rhode Island Infantry, allegedly the first Union regiment to flee the field. Other versions of the Burnside continued in use throughout the war right up to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” has lots more on the various campaigns in which they saw action. Burnsides in this serial number range are recorded as being in the hands of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry units in April 1863, but records do not differentiate between the earlier models and the later models which repeated serial numbers, that may reflect earlier models rather than this one, but in any case this model was used by many units in the final 2 years of the war. S&S Firearms sells reproduction cartridge cases for these, and some people still shoot them. (Note- We sell all guns as collector items only and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing.) Overall this is a good representative example, with good mechanics, and nothing broken or missing. However, it is not in the best condition, having suffered poor storage for a long time, and needs a good cleaning. Most of the metal finish has turned to patina with light roughness on the receiver, and rust on the levers. Barrel is mostly just smooth and dark where the finish has changed to plum but there is some patina towards the muzzle. Most of the screw heads retain their bright colors, and some internal of the action have nice colors. Bore is about excellent, bright and sharp with one small dark area that should clean up. All markings are very legible. The Buttstock and forend have assorted dings, bruises and scrapes and a good inspector’s cartouche. Left side of the forend has a large din (about ¼” x 1.5”). The right side of the butt has two gouges that have been filled in, but otherwise the wood has not been sanded or refinished. A good representative example that will look a little better after a good cleaning. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $1450.00

[93-2.3]

so if it is produced in the right year i can purchase a hangun that accepts modern ammo as an antique using the guidlines for that transfer?

[PA Rifleman]

now all I need is $1800 to pick up that confederate civil war carbine...

For a kilobuck less you can get a repro.



Click on the image for an example.