I believe they could draw a line similar to the BATF by saying prior to 1899 and proof of manufacture system could be set up. Further if date of manufacture and a system of proof is too hard they could draw the line on Damascus barrels only.
While both those courses of action leave alot of what most of us would hold to be vintage out, nonetheless it would open things a a small bit.
That would be such a small segment of the hunting community that I doubt they'd get anywhere. Not enough "squeak" in that "wheel" to attract grease. There are a whole bunch of guns out there through which steel should not be shot. But the problem is, you can't collect very many of them into a neat little group via something as simple as date of manufacture. Damascus only . . . I think the simple response from the feds would be "But those guns are all dangerous if shot with any kind of modern load. Only good for hanging on the wall." Within this little group, we know better. But try convincing many people outside of this little group.
Years ago, a poster here had a Damascus-barreled LC. He wanted to shoot it at his club. They wouldn't allow it. He got stubborn, sent it to the UK for modern reproof. It passed. That apparently satisfied the powers that be at his club . . . but I doubt it would satisfy the feds. OK for those Brits to do stuff like that, but not in the US of A, by God!
