What is an antique firearm?
The word “antique” is not defined anywhere within any of the Firearms Acts or Regulations, so how do we know what is acceptable as “antique”? Dictionary definitions include “not of our time” and “a relic of former times”. Consequently it must be accepted that modern reproductions, even of very old flintlocks, etc., cannot be antique. Many people use the old maxim that over 100 years old means it is antique. To a great extent this will prove to be true, but there are always the exceptions to the rule. There are some old weapons which are still capable of firing a modern centre fire cartridge, and are therefore not classified as antique. It may be easier to understand what is acceptable as antique, if we first establish what is “modern”. Modern, in relation to firearms, has now been established as: manufactured since or during the Second World War. The following tables are a guide as to what may or may not be antique. In reality every case will need to be judged on its own merit. Antique
The word “antique” is not defined anywhere within any of the Firearms Acts or Regulations, so how do we know what is acceptable as “antique”? Dictionary definitions include “not of our time” and “a relic of former times”. Consequently it must be accepted that modern reproductions, even of very old flintlocks, etc., cannot be antique. Many people use the old maxim that over 100 years old means it is antique. To a great extent this will prove to be true, but there are always the exceptions to the rule. There are some old weapons which are still capable of firing a modern centre fire cartridge, and are therefore not classified as antique. It may be easier to understand what is acceptable as antique, if we first establish what is “modern”. Modern, in relation to firearms, has now been established as: manufactured since or during the Second World War. The following tables are a guide as to what may or may not be antique. In reality every case will need to be judged on its own merit. Antique
