Jon has the experience. Per the posted regulation anything before 1898 is not a gun. But some general in Afghanistan decided to require all Sniders and Martini-Henry's be submitted to ATF to their great dismay. Note the operative sentence: "(A) any firearm (including any. . .)" That ANY FIREARM looks to include anything pre 1898.
I will say that for a few years early in the Afghan adventure, the Army Adjutant General in Kabul was letting soldiers ship back SMLE Enfields because "they were designed in 1880's). That stopped; but I still was able to ship a 1901 Long Lee.
I do not plan to buy another gun but you never know. I just wanted to understand whether Holt's could now ship it directly to the customer without using an "importer" if the gun is pre 1898. I'd probably give it a try.
Again back to corresponding with ATF:
Query:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thanks for your information. Just to confirm, if a shotgun or rifle is centerfire or riimfire and can shoot modern readaby available ammunition, it will have to get ATF approval before shipping, is that correct? (I recall sending an 1877 UK made Martini-Henry rifle home from Afghanistan using the APO about 13 years ago; I had to fill out a form, attach pictures and mail it to ATF. I got a response back in about three weeks which enabled me to mail it.
Here is the gun I'm interested in: It is a 16 gauge EM Reilly shotgun with a Serial Number historically and firmly dating it to 1886. I assume that since it has 2 1/2" chambers and is a centerfire and since 2 1/2" shells are readable in the US, that I would have to follow a similar track to import the gun. Thanks for your confirmation:
ATF Response: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good afternoon,
Our office cannot make classifications. If you would like a classification on the firearm to ensure its antique status, please contact the Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch (FTISB).
Please note that the Federal Firearms Regulations states “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; or”…
Last edited by Argo44; 03/16/23 11:09 PM.
