let me get this straight: bp pistols
- Thread starter f_soldaten04
- Start date
All post 1898 handguns are restricted/prohibited. Pre 1898 handguns which use loose ammunition - percussion or spark ignition - are antiques and not subject to the controls. Pre 1898 cartridge handguns are restricted/prohibited or exempt depending on caliber. There is a list of calibers. .22s are restricted/prohibited. All other pre '98 rimfires are exempt. With pre '98 centrefires, it depends on the cartridge. All pre '98 cartridge handguns which are not rim or centrefire are exempt. So, a little tip-up S&W .22, with a short barrel is a prohib; similar piece in .32rf is exempt; one in .32 S&W is prohib. That is, the first successful cartridge revolver, a milestone in the evolution of firearms, is now a prohib. All pre '98 pin, lip, teatfire handguns are exempt. A .455 Webley made in 1897 is antique. A 7.63 Mauser Broomhandle made in '96 or '97 is antique. Colt pre '98 single and double action revolvers are restricted/prohibited/exempt, depending on caliber and/or barrel length. A .32-20 is prohib., a .38 is restricted or prohibited depending on barrel length, a .41 is exempt, regardless of barrel length.
Shelldrake
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Right behind you,,
From the CFC site,,
*****
Percussion cap long guns and muzzle-loading black powder handguns made after 1898 are not classified as antiques even if they are copies of an earlier antique model. Newer percussion cap long guns are classified as non-restricted firearms; newer handguns, including matchlock, wheel lock and flintlock handguns made after 1898, are classified as restricted if their barrel length is over 105 mm (about 4 inches), or prohibited if their barrel length is 105 mm or less.
It is important to note that there are a lot of reproduction firearms on the market. In addition, some firearms were made over a period of several years spanning the 1898 cut-off date. If you possess or wish to acquire a percussion cap firearm or a muzzle-loading handgun, you need to know if it was made before or after 1898 in order to know what rules apply to you.
*****
*****
Percussion cap long guns and muzzle-loading black powder handguns made after 1898 are not classified as antiques even if they are copies of an earlier antique model. Newer percussion cap long guns are classified as non-restricted firearms; newer handguns, including matchlock, wheel lock and flintlock handguns made after 1898, are classified as restricted if their barrel length is over 105 mm (about 4 inches), or prohibited if their barrel length is 105 mm or less.
It is important to note that there are a lot of reproduction firearms on the market. In addition, some firearms were made over a period of several years spanning the 1898 cut-off date. If you possess or wish to acquire a percussion cap firearm or a muzzle-loading handgun, you need to know if it was made before or after 1898 in order to know what rules apply to you.
*****
There appears to be a principle that the receiver of a firearm is the legal essence of what is a firearm. That is, a stripped receiver is the firearm, everything else is just parts. Caliber, ignition system and barrel length are also considerations affecting antique status. Suppose you had a stripped receiver from an original Colt '51 Navy. It is an antique firearm. If it were completed using parts from whatever vintage, the receiver is still antique. So, I suppose there would be no change in the legal status of the revolver. I do recall that years ago, when the law was different, and antique status was vaguely defined, a person was charged with possession of an unregistered handgun, because an antique was repaired using modern parts, including screws. The prosecution failed.
