How does ATF define non-gun antique firearm?

[Tyrod]

How does ATF define non-gun antique firearm?

I rekon the title sez it all. I know there are dates involved and state laws not withstanding, what are the technicalities? How about cartridge black powder firearms?

 

[snuffy51]

Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, a cartridge firearm made in or before 1898 is classified an antique and is outside Federal laws. Not including any fully automatic firearm made before 1898. This is pretty basic. I can't type fast enough to fill in all the rest of the info and exceptions. Includes all cartridge firearms, not muzzleloading firearms.

 

[DWalt]

Just google GCA-68 and read it for yourself. Except for fully-automatic weapons, any gun manufactured (not shipped) prior to 1899 is classified as an antique and is not regulated under the act. Nor are muzzle loaders (long guns and handguns). That does not prevent individual states (or possibly localities in some cases) from regulating them. Replicas of antique cartridge guns made after 1898 do fall under the act and are regulated.

 

[Alpo]

Did they do away with the "not readily available ammunition" thing?

It used to be that a replica of an antique - Uberti #3 Russians, or Schofields, or SAAs, for example - was exempt if chambered for a cartridge "not readily available in trade".

If Cowboy Shooting had not brought 44 Russian or 45 Schofield back to life, those guns would not be guns.

 

[DWalt]

Did they do away with the "not readily available ammunition" thing?

It used to be that a replica of an antique - Uberti #3 Russians, or Schofields, or SAAs, for example - was exempt if chambered for a cartridge "not readily available in trade".

If Cowboy Shooting had not brought 44 Russian or 45 Schofield back to life, those guns would not be guns.

That's a little different situation:

(16) The term "antique firearm" means --

(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and

(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica --
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

For example, a modern replica Spencer rifle made in the original .56 Spencer rimfire caliber would be exempt as no one makes .56 Spencer cartridges, but one made in .44-40 would not, as .44-40 ammunition is readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.