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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 08-29-2017, 08:25 PM
Gazz Gazz is offline
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Default Antique Status of 1896 Revolvers?

I know that some number of these were made before 1899 but have read somewhere that all the frames were made before 1899 which would make the entire production run of the 1896 antiques. Did I read correctly or was it some dream?
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Old 08-29-2017, 08:48 PM
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They are all antiques, and there is paperwork floating around the forum that documents the correspondence with BATF. I have the stuff on my home computer which I can't get to at the moment. One of our specialists in these will likely jump in and provide the details.
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Old 08-29-2017, 08:59 PM
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I think it is the 44 Double Action top breaks that were determined to all be pre 1899. I don't know if all of the 1st Model Hand Ejectors (M1896) fall in the same category. (Manufactured 1896-1903)
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Old 08-29-2017, 09:23 PM
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All 1896 HEs are antiques as detailed in 1973 correspondence between Roy and the BATF. All 44 DAs are antiques, as well.
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Old 08-29-2017, 09:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glowe View Post
All 1896 HEs are antiques as detailed in 1973 correspondence between Roy and the BATF. All 44 DAs are antiques, as well.
Gazz,

I'm not sure if this is the Letter Gary (glowe) was referring to...If Not...Here's another in the photo I've attached below that outlines which Models fall into the Antique Category!!

As an aside...You'll likely have to enlarge it given I can't get posted any larger...Sorry!!

Take specific note to the Last Line of the Letter as it's the one that provides the answer to your inquiry!!
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File Type: jpg Model 1896 ATF Letter 1.jpg (53.0 KB, 79 views)
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Old 08-29-2017, 09:55 PM
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I think Masterpiece's picture is the first page of the letter we are referring to. Here is Gary's 2015 post with all three pages attached:

Important Information for Model 1896 Owners
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Old 08-29-2017, 10:02 PM
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Quote:
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I think Masterpiece's picture is the first page of the letter we are referring to.
Absalom,

Thanks for Gary's Link...I thought it was the Letter he was referring to!!
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Old 08-29-2017, 10:06 PM
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Quote:
I don't know if all of the 1st Model Hand Ejectors (M1896) fall in the same category. (Manufactured 1896-1903)
Now I know!! Thanks!!
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Old 08-29-2017, 11:33 PM
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This is good to know and thanks for that info! I was at an auction recently and wanted to bid on some 1896 revolvers but the auctioneer said he required a C&R FFL or 4473 only for transfer. I gave up my C&R some years as it was to expensive to have!
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Old 08-30-2017, 05:15 PM
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It's not unusual for a dealer to require shipments of antiques to an FFL. I don't know if the sellers are ignorant or over cautious. If I can't convince the seller otherwise, I reduce my bidding accordingly to make up for the extra $25 I'm going to have to pay my local FFL.
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Old 08-30-2017, 08:20 PM
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Quote:
I gave up my C&R some years as it was to expensive to have!
A C&R license is $30 for 3 years or $10 a year. If you save one FFL transfer fee you have paid for the license for 3 years. Being able to by any gun in original configuration made prior to 1967 without having to do additional paperwork is well worth it IMHO.
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Old 08-30-2017, 08:40 PM
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James,
I think Gazz was referring to the fact that the C&R license made it too easy to buy more guns than he could really afford........
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Old 08-30-2017, 08:56 PM
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That's the one.
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Old 08-31-2017, 08:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom View Post
I think Masterpiece's picture is the first page of the letter we are referring to. Here is Gary's 2015 post with all three pages attached:
Thanks for finding the thread. Sorry about 1973 guess, but it was close to 1972.
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