Any issues shipping antique firearm out of the country

[ron_brock]

I have someone in Europe who wants to by an antique firearm (1850 Remington cap and ball revolver). From what I have been reading the onus is on the importer for proving legality to own and any permits needed. I just wondered if anyone else had knowledge on this. The guy is in Sweden.

 

Thanks

Ron

[JimB]

I have someone in Europe who wants to by an antique firearm (1850 Remington cap and ball revolver). From what I have been reading the onus is on the importer for proving legality to own and any permits needed. I just wondered if anyone else had knowledge on this. The guy is in Sweden.

 

Thanks

Ron

OLD TOPIC

but answer is NO, none particularly on "muzzle loaders"

 

I have had maybe over a thousand Antiques shipped in over the years.

 

My experience, less than a 1% chance the parcel is inspected upon entry. My regular folks agreed to apply security tape for me.

 

I have imported guns from Europe, Asia, India, Africa, South America, Australia...every where but Antarctica.

Antique percussion, no issues

cartridge, you best know the gun is pre 1899 or forfeit.

[RoscoeTurner]

I have had no big problems over the years shipping Civil War muskets to Germany, their regulations on muzzleloaders basically mirror ours. Sweden may have similar regulations on antique firearms, easy enough to check. US regulations allow for the export with no special license.

The only issue I had was with UPS who at first refused to ship the "firearms". It was not until a chance phone call to their 1-800 number that I was connected to a service rep who actually was involved in muzzleloading and knew what I was talking about . She pointed out to me that the issue of these type firearms was addressed in their "antiques" section and not the "firearms" section of their tariff. I suspect she was probably part of a very small percentage UPS employees that would have known this.

[ron_brock]

Thanks guys for the replies. In the end, Mr. Sweden backed out and the gun went to Louisiana. Still good to have the posting as I did struggle to find good evidence. I spoke to a Civil War dealer friend of mine as well and he has had similar luck. Biggest issue was just to make sure which date each country classifies as an antique.

 

I've had similar luck with UPS. There are a few good people who know their job and many that do not. Always having to point them to their handbook when shipping things. I have one guy that is very good and I am happy when he's working. Once argued with a UPS store as it was close to home and I was trying to avoid going to our hub. Tried shipping a Colt 1849 pocket model. I know you cannot ship firearms from UPS stores, but what I was shipping was not a firearm, it was an antique. Store owner says "what's inside?" I reply, an antique Colt revolver made in 1864. She says, "we do not ship firearms". I say "It's not a firearm per BATFE regulations as it was manufactured prior to 1898." She says, you cannot prove that it was made prior to 1898. I say "I absolutely can based on the serial number and identification of the gun". She says, "well I don't care. I don't like them and I am not shipping your gun". I correct her that the item was classified as an antique, she should read up on UPS regulations, educate herself or consider taking a job with eBay and that I would never shop at a UPS store again.

 

I don't mind people who don't know, we are all learning every day, but I loathe people who closed minded and refuse to educate themselves when it opposes their values. Typically these are the ones that consider themselves "intellectuals".

 

Ron

[RoscoeTurner]

Glad to be able to help. Many times it all boils down to who you are dealing with across the counter. I have been shipping firearms and parts in this small town so long that the clerks stopped long ago asking me what was in a box.