Do I need to have antique guns on certificate?

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Do I need to have antique guns on my certificate?

Any muzzle loading gun made before the Second World War is regarded as an antique, but modern replicas of antique guns need to be on certificate.

By David Frost

Friday, 29 August 2008

I fancy starting a collection of antique guns. Do I need to have them on my certificate?

Legal
DAVID FROST says:
Probably not because antique guns are exempt from the need for certification in most circumstances provided you don?t intend to use them.

The problem lies in defining what is antique.

Any muzzle loading gun made before the Second World War is regarded as an antique, but modern replicas of antique guns need to be on certificate.

Many breech loading guns are also regarded as antique because ammunition is no longer generally available for them.

The list is too long to publish here but it includes things like pinfire shotguns, other early breech loading systems and a lot of early centrefire rifle and pistol calibres.

Check with your local police if in doubt. Most auctioneers and other collectors will know what can and cannot be kept without a certificate.