Still some for sale, but in the US. Not sure of their laws on selling cannons, but export/import will most defo be a non-starter.
With our thoughts, we make the world
Still some for sale, but in the US. Not sure of their laws on selling cannons, but export/import will most defo be a non-starter.
"I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)
Frock coat wearing, riverboat dwelling, southern gent
In the US, all muzzleloading guns are exempt from federal law. This is true whether they are antique, modern, whatever the bore, caliber, barrel length, rifled or smooth, pistol or shoulder gun or cannon.Originally Posted by davederrick
State and local law? The mini cannon in question may be unregulated. Then again, it may be regulated as stringently as a modern pistol.
UBC's Police Pistol Manager
"Nasty, noisy things, revolvers, Count. Better stick to air-guns." Sherlock Holmes, The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone
With our thoughts, we make the world
Didn't know that Jim, thought only antiques were exempt. Nice bit of info, thanks.
"I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)
Frock coat wearing, riverboat dwelling, southern gent
No, all muzzleloaders are exempt here: as are all air / spring / CO2 guns, and all obsolete ignition system guns (such as pinfires), even if they're newly-manufactured.
Also, all cartridge guns (with the exception of fully-automatic ones, rifles shorter than 26 inches or with barrels shorter than 16, or shotguns shorter than 26 inches or with barrels shorter than 18), are exempt, IF they (the actual specimen you're holding in your hand) were manufactured prior to 1899.
This is rather like your "obsolete calibers" exception: but yours makes more sense. If I have in one hand a perfectly functional revolver chambered for the .32 S&W and made in 1898: that one's exempt from controls. But its twin brother, made in 1899, is controlled.
Also, since year of manufacture, not caliber, is the controlling point, a .32 rimfire revolver made in 1905, say, would be controlled just like a factory-fresh 10 millimeter automatic: even though I'd not be likely to find cartridges to fit it.
Whereas, a .22 rimfire made in 1895, say, would be uncontrolled: even though ammo for it is readily available!
Also, we don't have any exception here for deactivated guns. The government takes the position that "de"activated mean, "capable of being REactivated". So a deactivated gun would be subject to the same controls - if any - as its operable equivalent.
UBC's Police Pistol Manager
"Nasty, noisy things, revolvers, Count. Better stick to air-guns." Sherlock Holmes, The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone
With our thoughts, we make the world
Helpful post, thanks. 1899 was the thing I was thinking of.Thats how I got my Martini Henry out of the US, exported without restrictions as prior to 1899, imported without restrictions as obsolete calibre. Cool.
"I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)
Registered User
Curiosity or ornament so you can shoot it infrequently, no more than once or twice a year.
Hassle is, it's a pistol so Home Office approved ranges only.
After much searching I found a toy cannon with 24" from muzzle to point of ignition. Had to import it from Germany but worth the effort because it is a shotgun and the law is a lot less restrictive.
Registered User
If being held as a curiosity or ornament they cannot be shot at all, unless the relevant FAC/SGC applies if I have read the guidance right. As soon as you show any intent to fire them they become subject to all the relevant firearms controls.
Keeping them on the mantelpiece as a collectors piece is ok but then to get some powder and load it they become a firearm. Unless I've missed something on the guidance.
Frock coat wearing, riverboat dwelling, southern gent
Yes! Date controls in the US: obsoleteness of caliber controls in the UK (for cartridge guns).Helpful post, thanks. 1899 was the thing I was thinking of.
If your Martini Henry rifle were made in 1899 or later, it would have been readily importable into the UK: but NOT readily exportable from the US.
The US laws aren't-always more lenient than the UK's.
UBC's Police Pistol Manager
"Nasty, noisy things, revolvers, Count. Better stick to air-guns." Sherlock Holmes, The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone
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