selling a civil war reproduction musket ?

[Big5]

Looking to sell a musket to someone in another state. He just told me he is under 18 I told him I would not sell him the musket. He then reply that his dad was going to buy it. Is this okay deal to do this or should I stay away?

[762xIan]

I would ask to talk to the dad.

Good possiblility he is a civil war buff and found something he wants, if dad is on board with it and does the purchase why not? Likely on the level, since it isn't a modern rifle or shotgun.

He will have to buy the powder for him.

[sprrdhawk44]

I would ask to talk to the dad.

Good possiblility he is a civil war buff and found something he wants, if dad is on board with it and does the purchase why not? Likely on the level, since it isn't a modern rifle or shotgun.

He will have to buy the powder for him.

It is a reproduction, and therefore is a modern firearm. This is walking a fine line between a legal sale and a straw purchase. I'd stay away.

[Pa.Sniper]

+1 for staying away. How do you know it's his dad and not a friend? Or a sting, trying to get you to sell something. Why chance it?

[762xIan]

It is a reproduction, and therefore is a modern firearm. This is walking a fine line between a legal sale and a straw purchase. I'd stay away.

News to me that muzzle loaders (even repros) are considered modern. I can and have bought black powder rifles through the mail. Reproduction civil war muskets are no different. This also includes black powder pistols.

As for the OP.....

Big5, would this be a face to face sale? If it is someone from NJ then NO....NJ is one of the few states that treat black powder arms like modern guns. Also, if they want you to ship it, I would say no.

[sprrdhawk44]

News to me that muzzle loaders (even repros) are considered modern. I can and have bought black powder rifles through the mail. Reproduction civil war muskets are no different. This also includes black powder pistols.

As for the OP.....

Big5, would this be a face to face sale? If it is someone from NJ then NO....NJ is one of the few states that treat black powder arms like modern guns. Also, if they want you to ship it, I would say no.

I just looked it up, it appears you are correct regarding the muzzleloader. I stand corrected.

However, a 17 year old cannot purchase a long gun, and I still think that trouble could still possibly arise in the form of straw man.

[knight0334]

I just looked it up, it appears you are correct regarding the muzzleloader. I stand corrected.

However, a 17 year old cannot purchase a long gun, and I still think that trouble could still possibly arise in the form of straw man.

Federal law does not prohibit selling, even interstate, an antique firearm to a minor. They are not Title I weapons - thus are not governed by the GCA or NFA*.

*a few exceptions for some pre-1898 weapons that use fixed cartridges.


So long as the receiving state has no further laws governing the topic - it is legal to sell a pre-1898 fixed cartridge gun, a muzzleloader, or a post-1898 fixed cartridge gun who's ammo isn't available through normal means of commerce to someone under 18yo. ....directly, without a FFL involved.


A reproduction Springfield or Enfield rifle, which are muzzleloading - can be sold to a minor, even across state lines, so long as the receiving state has no issue with it.

[Big5]

I am no going to sell it to this person that is under age he states that his father was going to buy it. Now I have another Civil war reproduction rifle that a older man wants to buy it, Could I mail that to him without a FFL?

[762xIan]

I just looked it up, it appears you are correct regarding the muzzleloader. I stand corrected.

However, a 17 year old cannot purchase a long gun, and I still think that trouble could still possibly arise in the form of straw man.

I agree and that is why I amended my post, it could be on the level, and if the kids dad takes him for a face to face meet and greet it could well be the young man just wants a civil war type gun.

Working with the some pretty mature scouts and knowing some young re-enactors, my judgement maybe a little clouded towards the optimistic side in this case.

The kid wants a civil war musket of all things Not a "fully automatic high capacity loudenboomer 15/47".

[sprrdhawk44]

Federal law does not prohibit selling, even interstate, an antique firearm to a minor. They are not Title I weapons - thus are not governed by the GCA or NFA*.

*a few exceptions for some pre-1898 weapons that use fixed cartridges.


So long as the receiving state has no further laws governing the topic - it is legal to sell a pre-1898 fixed cartridge gun, a muzzleloader, or a fixed cartridge gun who's ammo isn't available through normal means of commerce to someone under 18yo. ....directly, without a FFL involved.

Learned something new, thanks. I think I will stick to modern firearms from now on.

Ian, I stand TOTALLY corrected, and would like to apologize to you, as well as the OP for providing incorrect information.