What is a curio and relic license?

[WestKentucky]

I have heard the term before and I have seen it on things like martini Henry rifles from sportsmans guide. But I have never known what it is or why it would be advantageous to get.

 

[NavyLCDR]

This will probably help:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/cr.htm

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Basically it is everything made more than 50 years ago (pre-1964 now) plus some more recent guns.

From the ATF:

To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:
-Have been manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof; or
-Be certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; or
-Derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or from the fact of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.

Mike

 

[WestKentucky]

So it is ANYTHING 50 years old or more? I'm sure there are other regulations to this. Obviously nfa weapons and such. Could I buy from places like gunbroker? Is there regulations to in-state handgun purchase? For $30 this seems like a smart move. How do guns get shipped?

 

[JRH6856]

So it is ANYTHING 50 years old or more?

I guess that makes me one.

 

[slumlord44]

Any gun over 50 years old. You have to be able to document that either by serial # , by the fact that the model was discontinued over 50 years ago, or some other creditable source such as the Blue Book. Nfa guns are included but you still have to pay the tax and obey local laws. Handguns in any state unless there are state restrictions. Gunbroker is fine. You cannot be in the business of buying and selling guns. You can buy and sell to enhance your collection. Yes it is one of the best bargains out there. Only problem is you end up spending a lot more money. Just bought a nice Stevens Target Rifle while I was in the hospital and had it delivered to my door after I got home. Used my I phone.

 

[deadin]

One caveat is that they have to be in original configuration or easily returnable to original. (i.e. no "sporterized" rifles with chopped barrels, etc.)

 

[il.bill]

Here is a link to the BATFE C&R page: http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-technology/curios-relics

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

Deadin ... it appears not to be so from the BATFE post???

 

[tyeo098]

C&R means nothing different to you unless you have an FFL03 C&R license

 

[TRX]

Basically, it lets you buy certain firearms and have them shipped directly to you or ship them yourself instead of having to go through a regular FFL.

Mostly, these are guns over 50 years old, plus the C&R list on atf.gov, which contains newer firearms that are also C&R due to "special interest" or "collectibility", and someone asked the ATF to put them on the list.

Go to the ATF web site click until you find "send me an information packet", and they'll send you a thick envelope with all the regs and forms in it, on real dead trees.

A C&R doesn't let you do business as a gun dealer, or ship non-C&R firearms. You still have to maintain a bound book. If you're interested in old milsurp stuff, a C&R can save you a ton of money and hassle. If you're mostly into newer stuff, the C&R will be much less useful to you.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

So it is ANYTHING 50 years old or more? I'm sure there are other regulations to this. Obviously nfa weapons and such. Could I buy from places like gunbroker? Is there regulations to in-state handgun purchase? For $30 this seems like a smart move. How do guns get shipped?

There are NFA weapons that are C&R. A licensed collector still needs a Form 4, but no 4473 and can have it shipped to their house.

Of course there are lots of regulations, one example: maintaining a bound book similar to a dealer FFL has to. The ATF can also ask to inspect your bound book and guns up to once a year but it is very rare. You have the option of bringing your guns to them for the inspection.
Also is the ATF's opinion that guns must be kept in original condition but the official ruling was only about imported military guns.

The definition for curio or relic (“C & R”) firearms found in 27 CFR § 478.11 does not specifically state that a firearm must be in its original condition to be classified as a C&R firearm. However, ATF Ruling 85-10, which discusses the importation of military C&R firearms, notes that they must be in original configuration and adds that a receiver is not a C&R item. Combining this ruling and the definition of C&R firearms, the Firearms Technology Branch (FTB) has concluded that a firearm must be in its original condition to be considered a C&R weapon.

It is also the opinion of FTB, however, that a minor change such as the addition of scope mounts, non-original sights, or sling swivels would not remove a firearm from its original condition. Moreover, we have determined that replacing particular firearms parts with new parts that are made to the original design would also be acceptable-for example, replacing a cracked M1 Grand stock with a new wooden stock of the same design, but replacing the original firearm stock with a plastic stock would change its classification as a C&R item.

They seem to be more worried about modernizing military weapons then changing hunting stocks on a pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 for example.

Mike

 

[AlexanderA]

I have seen it on things like martini Henry rifles

The Martini-Henry, having been made before 1899, would be an "antique" and not a "curio or relic" and therefore not regulated at all. You can buy mail order without a license.