Quote Originally Posted by Chocchip View Post
A working replica is considered a firearm so needs either a shotgun certificate or firearms certificate depending on what it is.

An original antique can be held without a licence as long as its not being used. As soon as you want to use you need to get it on the licence and then lock it in a cabinet. The security requirements for antiques that are on ticket are so bizaare you can't but laugh. You can have a matching set of antique pistols, one can be dangling on the front-door handle and the other identical one must be kept locked up - purely based on what you intend to use it for.
Also if you have an antique that you subsequently decide to shoot, you then immediately have to turn yourself in at your local police station to confess to illegal possession of a firearm - the mere thought that you intend to use it makes you guilty of illegal possession.