what 38's are prohibs and which are antiques

bigdawg

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i know some 38's are consider antiques i'm looking into getting a Merwin 38 caliber folding hammer model double action revolver is this a prohib? its made before 1898 and as far as i know is not a 38 colt or 38 S&W
 
Slug the bore. If it measures .376 it's 380 revolver and ok as antique. If it mesures .357 plus or minus a couple of thou I don't think anything in centerfire will qualify. Rimfire and pinfire are ok.
 
i have seen some center fires that are antiques this seems to be a complex issue i want to ship it from the US so i may run into problems
 
center fire 38's that is

Could be I guess, but the only one I've seen and had removed from the registry was 380 Colt revolver, and about the only difference between it and the 38 S&W is bore diameter. It requires a bullet like the 22 rimfire, where the part inside the cartridge case is about .357, but the rest is .376. You can fire a 38 S&W in it, but the bullet will not touch the lands on the way out.
 
The only .38's that are prohibited are those made after 1898 with barrels 4.1" or shorter. The only .38's that are antiques are those that were made prior to 1898 and use rimfire ammo or those that were made prior to 1898 and fire .38 Smith and Wesson, .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt or .38-40 Winchester are also antiques.
All of this is covered on the CFC's site.
"...from the US..." It'll have to be considered an antique Stateside too and be prepared to pay duty and taxes.
 
The only .38's that are antiques are those that were made prior to 1898 and use rimfire ammo or those that were made prior to 1898 and fire .38 Smith and Wesson, .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt or .38-40 Winchester are also antiques.
.38 S&W, the .38 Colts, .38-40 are on the list of cartridges that eliminate revolvers from being classed as antique.
What is the factory designation for the cartridge used by the M&H?
 
38 Merwin and Hulbert is OK I have a Merwin & Hulbert folding hammer Revolver with pearl grips like your looking for and it has a CFC Antique Letter.

Merwin & hulbert had there own 38 its slightly diffrent than the other 38s so its NOT on the NO list of calibers.
Funny thing is they shoot the 38 S&W just fine. But its what the guns are chambered for that counts not what just happens to fit.

Like my Webley WG its Chambered for 455/476 but happens to shoot 45 colt which is on the NO list.
BUT my WG is still a perscribed Antique cause its what the guns are chambered for at the factory that counts.
The 38 Merwin is chamberd for the 38 Merwin & Hulbert Cartridge.
 
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Thanks from me too Dingus. It's a bad day when I don't learn something. Plus I know so little there are almost no days when nothing is learned.:D

:cheers:

Hey two years ago or so, i didnt know this either. Resorsfull scronger tiped me off to the fact 38 M&H was OK when i bough one off him.
Im learning everyday to, sometimes, i hope ;)
 
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