Need help with first internet sale of Antique revolver going to another state ---

[alwaysc0de390]

I am about to sell my first gun online , to someone in Virginia... I am in Missouri.

The gun is an 1889 Smith and Wesson revolver.

I read per gunbroker.com that "Antique" weapons made before 1898 can be sent from person to person ... NOT REQUIRING an FFL.

I also read that UPS will ship the gun, but it HAS to go next day air.

In Missouri all it takes is a bill of sale to sell a handgun or rifle from person to person.... NO ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK.

I will write 3 bill of sales. Send him two that I sign.... have him sign them both, keep one ... and send me one back in a SASE that I provide.

Do I have to worry about him taking care of his own states paperwork, or is that on him?

If I am missing anything, or doing something wrong please let me know. Thanks

[walnutred]

Last antique revolver I sold went through the US Post Office. Last couple I received came that was too, now that I think about it.

[deadin]

The gun is an 1889 Smith and Wesson revolver

There is no such thing as a Model 1889 S&W. (You can't go by the patent dates on the barrel) You need to go by the actual manufacture date or, in the case of S&W, the shipping date.
If it truely was made or shipped before 1899 it is qualified as an antique and can be sent via USPS.

A picture and/or further description (including serial number) would let us determine what you have and we might even be able to estimate the manufacture/shipping date.

[alwaysc0de390]

Its a Smith and Wesson 4th model Break Top .32 5 shot revolver.

Serial number 91,4xx

This model was produced from 1883 to 1901 with numbers 43406 to 282999.

I was told the serial number will place my gun in the 1888 to 1889 production year.

Here is a pic:



My buddy thinks I should get a picture of the purchasers drivers license, and add a part in the bill of sale stating "I am not a convicted felon" for the purchaser to sign? Also state that the gun is being sold as a parts gun , and is not in working condition (it needs a spring or a barrel stop).

So, I can ship USPS and it doesnt have to be next day air? That will save a little bit of money.

What do you all think? Thanks ---

[deadin]

Your information is partially correct. Yes, it is a .32 DA, 4th Model, but the production dates were 1883 to 1909. (not 1901). It probably was manufactured prior to 1899, but you can't always go by serial number on S&W's as there are no records that show exactly when they were made and were not shipped (or even completed) in serial number order. The accepted practice in dating a S&W is shipping date. The only way to get this is a factory letter ($50) or being a member of the SWCA and getting it from the historian for free. The first way gets you a nice letter giving when the gun was shipped, in what configuration it left the factory, and who/where it was shipped to. The second way gets you an email with the shipping date only.

Guns whose production crosses the "antique" line are always problematic in dating.
More than likely, because your serial is so early in the series, it is a bono fide antique and is eligible for USPS mailing. (But then again.....)

[redlevel]

Sort of an aside, I guess: I have been told by attorneys that a Bill of Sale isn't worth the paper it is written on unless it is notarized.

"What Bill of Sale? I've never seen this man before. That piece of paper? Now, not only is he accusing me of selling/buying an illegal gun, he has also forged my name to a fake document."

[rromeo]

In Missouri all it takes is a bill of sale to sell a handgun or rifle from person to person.... NO ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK.

I will write 3 bill of sales. Send him two that I sign.... have him sign them both, keep one ... and send me one back in a SASE that I provide.

Do I have to worry about him taking care of his own states paperwork, or is that on him?

Over here if I want to buy any gun from another resident of Virginia, I pay money, gun is handed to me. The only thing required by law is that the seller must see proof of being a Virginia resident, and must not sell to a known felon. Some people do have bills of sale, but it's not mandated here.

[alwaysc0de390]

Awesome, good stuff guys ... I really appreciate it, and feel solid about this sale going smoothly. Thanks ---