From ATF website - As defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16) the term antique firearm means any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or
any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica
is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
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;
The first section describing any firearm "manufactured in or before 1898" stands on its own. The discussion of using fixed ammunition no longer manufactured in the US and not readily available in the ordinary channels of trade refers to the section directly above it describing replicas - not firearms mfg. before 1898.
Last edited by cpa; 10/07/14 10:02 PM.
