Dingus, I have sent two antique rifles to the USA via Express Post with no problems at all. However, on the outside of the package I had a packet labelled 'for US customs'. Inside the packet was a letter, and example of which is below. You can fill in the blanks. I would suggest following the exact same procedure for an antique pistol.
To: US Customs
From:
January 22, 2006
Re. Contents of parcel
This parcel contains an antique ______________, classified at 'antique' by the GCA (18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and (16), 27 CFR 178.11 and 178.141(d)) and is therefore not regulated by BATF (see attached page printed from the ATF website).
The serial number is _________
(Below is some sort of verification that the firearm was made before 1898. I've included an example below. You would have to include some sort of proof that your antique pistol was made before 1898)
A copy of page 622 of George Madis's The Winchester Book shows serial numbers and dates of manufacture for the Winchester Model 1886 is attached. That indicates that the Winchester Model 1886, serial no. ###X was made in 1888 and is, therefore, classified as an antique under the GCA. You can verify the year of manufacture at
http://armscollectors.com/sn/winlookup.php?file=win1886.dat
I called BATF and they stated that no FFL and no import permit is required for this old Winchester rifle, since it is classified as an antique not regulated by the BATF and can, therefore, be sent directly to the collector. I also spoke with the Canadian authorities and they stated that no export permit is required for this Winchester rifle, since it is classified in Canada as a non-restricted firearm. No permits are, therefore required from either jurisdiction.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at the phone number listed above.
