how old?

[lemmysmith]

how old does an airgun need to be to qualify as 'collectable'?

[edbear2]

Hi.....thats a teaser!......To qualify, say, as "vintage"....its seems that 25 years old is accepted by many collectors......But "collectable".....It could be that a limited production, or interesting prototype that is a year old is collectable!, There is really no hard and fast definition, most folks collect by type, make or age....ie. some may have a cut off date, say anything pre 1939, others may collect only BSA's, or Webleys, or German guns.....Others will go for interesting, unusual features.....It really is a hobby with endless possibility's (and endless numbers of guns to collect) The latter being the reason why people specialise.....I would hate to think how many different makes and models of air weapons have been made over the years, you would have to have a room the size of the Albert hall to put them in if you tried to get one of each!!....I am sorry if you think this hasn't really answered your question, but I don't think there IS a definitive answer.......of course the next post may be it, so I await with anticipation.......

[lemmysmith]

I get the drift. I used to be in 'collectable records' similar thing only, given the legal web surrounding guns i was wondering if the law laid down any restrictions re age etc..According to #### they say that the sale of airguns online is banned but doesn't seem to apply to 'collectables'. confused.com.

[edbear2]

Ah.....Well THAT auction site is a bit weird in its dealings to say the least.....you can list odd gun bits such as sights, and various other parts, even barrels and air cylinders have been on in the last few months......but you take your chances with a group of people who make it their business to complain about anything THEY dont like, and so sometimes items are removed.Complete air rifles or air pistols are banned!

Online sales of air rifles and pistols are very active and are 100% legal....as long as you, as the buyer are over 18, and not a "prohibited person"....look up for full definition...basically if you are prohibited by way of a criminal record including a banning order.

There are several online gun sales sites, as well as dozens of dealers who sell online......the main legal pitfall is that anything made after 1939 cannot be sent directly to your house.....only to a RFD (registered firearms dealer)....so if you have a local gunshop who you get on with, they may take delivery of a post 1939 airgun on your behalf, but will normally charge an admin fee (around £10 - 25) depending.You then pick it up from the shop.

If it is a vintage airgun made before 1939, the dealer can send it to you perfectly legally.

So to sum up........pre 1939...order/buy online.....no probs.

Post 1939.........order/buy online, get it sent to a local gun dealer.

This all came about because of the VCR act of parliament.....

[Phil Russell]

just to clarify: if you buy an airgun secondhand from a private person, not a dealer, then the airgun can be posted to you and does not have to go via a RFD.
Cheers, Phil

[edbear2]

just to clarify: if you buy an airgun secondhand from a private person, not a dealer, then the airgun can be posted to you and does not have to go via a RFD.
Cheers, Phil

Oh yeah........and that as well

[lemmysmith]

thanks guys. all a bit clearer now.

[BRET22]

how old does an airgun need to be to qualify as 'collectable'?

I Know lets ask Gareth to make this decision
He collects anything so he should know