? on importing antique revolvers from U.S.

tumbleweeds13

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Hi, I know some of you have been through this before, so maybe you can help me. I've acquired an antique revolver from Gunbroker, and it's currently at my brother's place in Arizona. He's having trouble finding any carrier that will accept it for shipment, even though it's perfectly legal to ship it from there to here. What have you used in the past? Would I be better finding someone just across the medicine line to ship to and pick it up myself, and bring it across personally? I'm only an hour or so from the border. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
david doyle said:
some states have postal employees that will balk at shipping any firearm.


Thats 100% right ive seen at least 4 diffrent States that the sender got the YOU CANT MAIL ANTIQUE OR ANY REVOLVERS TO CANADA.
And actully the way they read there own regs its there Call.
Ive been told this by a USPS supervisor.

I had a guy go to 3 diffrent post offices in Florida before he could Finaly find a guy who didnt care and send it on up here.

Once in the USPS system its clear sailing tho :)
 
I think it is against the postal 'rules' in Canada and the US to ship a package that says it contains a gun or firearm. Since you must list the contents of the package for an international shipment, I always reccomend the seller use wording that describes the content, but dosn't use those words.
For ex: Antique. muzzleloader - circa 1850 or perhaps,- Antique Colt, rimfire .32.
Send it insured. The last two long guns I've had shipped recently didn't even get opened by Customs.
 
The other option is to pay the money to have questar take care of the headaches.

Your lucky your brother is in charge of it. Nothing like an impatient US seller dumping your gun at a courier office and washing his hands of it.

Importing antiques from the USA can be a way to save a few bucks but there is always the chance you wont see your new toy.

Tumbleweed I assume your waiting on a new french gun? Enjoy it!
 
just mail it regular post, list it antique not gun. the forehand and wadsworth closed its doors before 1898 ,others they want verified
 
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The one that I brought through in person took about 10 minutes but I made sure to bring copies of the relevant laws. I am not sure they believed the law but they also felt the flintlock pistol was so buggered that it could not shoot. They also said that if it had been a long gun, they would not have hesitated.
At least I did not get the agent who told me over the phone, that he was extremely knowledgeable of firearms and could identify unthreaded, uncontoured and unchambered military rifle barrel blanks by their bore characteristics.

cheers mooncoon
 
The best part of it is that you don't need to declare an antique firearm in the US as such. It is exempt from all rules including that. You are not under an obligation to tell the USPS that it is an 'antique firearm'.
 
Thanks for your input. Yes, David, it is indeed another french 1873. It's been blued and had an ugly handle installed. I can make a proper set of grips for it, and talking with my brother on the phone, the action on it sounds pretty good. STill 11mm, but that's not a problem. I'll post pics once I finally get it up here. Thanks again to all.
 
was just thinking about new hampster,this state does not recognize the distinction between antiques and other handguns, great if your a resident
 
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