Shipping a pre 1899 revolver

[BigJimCalhoun]

I want to ship what I believe is a LeFaucheux M1858 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefaucheux_M1858) from a location on the East coast to Colorado. My understanding from an FFL is that a Pre-1899 firearm is not considered a firearm and can be shipped FedEx.

Prior to doing this, I am looking for a second opinion. Is it still better to ship via an FFL? An FFL will cost $30 + shipping ~ say $25 or so and then maybe $25 for the receiving FFL. I was wondering if packages are x-rayed or something which would draw the wrong attention and follow-up questions with a non-FFL shipment.

I found copy/pasted regulations
USC 18, Sec 921(a)(16)

(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock,
flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or
(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if
such replica -
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or
conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition
which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which
is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial
trade; or
(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle
loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black
powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For
purposes of this subparagraph, the term "antique firearm" shall
not include any weapon which incorporates a firearm frame or
receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading
weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily
converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt,
breechblock, or any combination thereof.

This revolver is believed to be my great, great, grandfathers from the Civil War.

Thanks!

[Pete]

We used UPS to ship rifles between family members.

My B-I-L shipped a pistol to himself from NC to CO - and I want to say that was UPS as well.

Was a while ago and I seem to recall it wasn't too many hoops you had to jump through. Just had to make sure the paperwork was straight.

But in this day and age ............

[ghp95134]

Wellllllll......

Do not ship a disassembled Colt SAA .357 and a disassembled Browning Hi-Power -- parts cross-leveled in two separate boxes -- to a federal installation using the USPS. They apparently x-ray all incoming boxes.

You might get your weapons back after 13 months or so ... and pay over $100 to a CA FFL for registration, etc.

Don't ask me why I know .......


(God bless my old man, regardless!)

Good luck with your shipment -- sounds legal:
USPS 432.1 Mailability (http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm#ep308518)
432.1 General

The following conditions apply:

Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as “handguns”) are nonmailable in the domestic mail, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1.
The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.
Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted, as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.2.
Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90—618) and
18 U.S.C. 921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from mailing because of the restrictions in 432.1b and c.

Exhibit 432.1

Mailability Requirements for Firearms



Unloaded Handgun

Handguns — e.g., pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person — are nonmailable UNLESS mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, or a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or government of a state, territory, or district, and ONLY when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person’s official duties AND upon filing the required affidavit or certificate, as applicable (see DMM 601.11.1.3–7):

Addressee: Officer of Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.
Addressee: Officer of National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.
Addressee: Officer of the federal government or a state, district, or territory whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Postal Service employees specifically authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Officer or employee of a U.S. enforcement agency.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Watchman engaged in guarding federal, state, district, or territory property.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by chief clerk of department, bureau, or independent branch of the government agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Purchasing agent or other designated member of an enforcement agency employing officers and personnel included in c, d, or e above.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of agency stating the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee cited in c, d, or e above.
Addressee: Licensed manufacturers and dealers of firearms.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Signed statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms.

The mailer must be a licensed manufacturer or dealer mailing to another licensed manufacturer or dealer.

Handguns may be mailed without regard to the requirements noted in items a–h if the addressee is the FBI (or its Director) or a scientific lab or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers, or state, district, or territory officers authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.

Manufacturers or dealers must complete PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, and file with the postmaster.

Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to their PCSC for a ruling.

Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun

Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.

The mailer must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.

The Postal Service may require the mailer to open the parcel or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.

Registered Mail service is recommended.

Unloaded Antique Firearm

Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are acceptable for mailing.




432.2 PS Form 1508

PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, must be completed by each firearm manufacturer or dealer who deposits firearms for mailing. The form must be filed with the postmaster of the post office of mailing.
432.3 Packaging and Marking

No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1–8.

--ghp

[MR2]

In May, I shipped a Glock 17 to the factory (CO to GA) using USPS tracked. Received upgraded pistol (and a new used case!) back from Glock by FedX before the USPS figured out that they had delivered it.

Since there was no transfer of ownership, there was no need for FFL involvement.

[The Reaper]

Frankly, I wouldn't trust that to the USPS.

IMHO, save yourself some grief and bring it back home yourself.

TR

[JJ_BPK]

As your LGS knows this is a C&R, have him ship it to you for the 30USD.. Just make sure he insures it for you. Check the blue book. I'm guessing 1500USD minimum.

A lot of LGS will accept shipments from civilians, but the only way is to ship via FED-X "overnight". It can run over 100USD..

Weapons can be shipped from and to the owner if they come from/to an licensed arms dealer/repair shop, provided there is not ownership change.

I have moved maybe 4-5 weapons in the last couple years, no problem.

Caveat Emptor: Colorado's gun gun laws suck.. Be careful..

Good Luck..

[JJ_BPK]

link: Rogue Postal Worker Refuses to Process Legal Gun Shipment (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/06/rogue-postal-worker-refuses-to-process-legal-gun-shipment-its-against-my-religious-beliefs/)

I hope you're not in Columbus, Ohio??

[Ret10Echo]

Frankly, I wouldn't trust that to the USPS.

IMHO, save yourself some grief and bring it back home yourself.

TR

Or if you have to ship...I would go through UPS or FEDEX before I would use the Postal service.

[uspsmark]

Most Postal employees are unfamiliar with the Domestic Mail Manual regarding shipping firearms of any type. You may ship your item USPS if you wish. My recommendation is to send it Registered Mail and insure it for the amount of replacement value if you decide to use USPS. I have done this for several people in my office over the past 10 years. If you need more information, feel free to send me a private mesage.

[BigJimCalhoun]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen. It might be easiest just to pay to go through an FFL and pay a little more.

[swpa19]

I would presume that your M1858 is a pinfire. If it is and given the appx date of manufacture, it would qualify as an antique, not a Curio or Relic. It can be leagally shipped individual to individual. The Lefaucheux does not appear in the book of C&R categorized firearms.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/collectors.html#antique-definition

[BigJimCalhoun]

Thank you

I just read about 3 open carry activists in Texas who were arrested carrying pre 1899 revolvers. I am most likely going to use an FFL.