Shipping antique firearm to foreign buyer

cjwils · June 30, 2012, 12:23 PM

Is there anything in US law that restricts shipping an antique firearm from the US to an overseas buyer? The gun is a 5mm pinfire made in the mid 1800s. I suppose it would be shootable if anyone could find functioning 5mm pinfire ammo, but generally I view it as a nonshootable antique due to the lack of ammo. I am familiar with the standard response that BATF does not regulate firearms made prior to 1899, but other federal agencies may be involved in regulating exports.

cjwils · July 18, 2012, 07:35 PM

I am bringing this back to the top of the list in hopes that someone out there has an answer.

hermannr · July 18, 2012, 10:41 PM

It is NOT a "firearm" as far as the BATF is concerned. The same in Canada, it is just NOT a firearm.

The country you are shipping to may see it differently.

If you really want to know specifics. contact these folks: http://www.davessports.com/firearm-e...id=9&Itemid=64

Rifleman1776 · July 19, 2012, 09:36 AM

You sending is not a problem.
Receiving at the other end will (probably, 99.99% for sure) be very problematic.
Old, new, shootable or not doesn't matter to a bureaucrat.
The person you are sending to needs to make prior arrangements or the gun could be lost completely. I have had experience mailing and receving from most European countries and Australia, plus Canada. Canada and Australia are the worst.

Strafer Gott · July 19, 2012, 09:42 AM

As someone familiar with the penalties for ITAR violations, and considering
the kilobuck per hour rates that those attorneys command, there is no way I would even fool with it.

June 30, 2012, 12:23 PM	#1
cjwils Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: Washington state Posts: 36	Shipping antique firearm to foreign buyer Is there anything in US law that restricts shipping an antique firearm from the US to an overseas buyer? The gun is a 5mm pinfire made in the mid 1800s. I suppose it would be shootable if anyone could find functioning 5mm pinfire ammo, but generally I view it as a nonshootable antique due to the lack of ammo. I am familiar with the standard response that BATF does not regulate firearms made prior to 1899, but other federal agencies may be involved in regulating exports.

July 18, 2012, 07:35 PM	#2
cjwils Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: Washington state Posts: 36	I am bringing this back to the top of the list in hopes that someone out there has an answer.

July 18, 2012, 10:41 PM	#3
hermannr Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 703	It is NOT a "firearm" as far as the BATF is concerned. The same in Canada, it is just NOT a firearm. The country you are shipping to may see it differently. If you really want to know specifics. contact these folks: http://www.davessports.com/firearm-e...id=9&Itemid=64

July 19, 2012, 09:36 AM	#4
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,900	You sending is not a problem. Receiving at the other end will (probably, 99.99% for sure) be very problematic. Old, new, shootable or not doesn't matter to a bureaucrat. The person you are sending to needs to make prior arrangements or the gun could be lost completely. I have had experience mailing and receving from most European countries and Australia, plus Canada. Canada and Australia are the worst.

July 19, 2012, 09:42 AM	#5
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 895	As someone familiar with the penalties for ITAR violations, and considering the kilobuck per hour rates that those attorneys command, there is no way I would even fool with it.