[VDM]

FYI... I recently came upon this simple explanation of Condition Standards;

As New; All original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.

Excellent; All original parts, over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarked wood; fine bore.

Fine; All original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood; good bore.

Very Good; Original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering; numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.

Good; Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised or minor crack repaired; in good working order.

Fair; Some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over; vigorously cleaned or reblued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.

Poor; Major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken, mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collectors firearm.

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[bmcgilvray]

Yeah, and in my collection of trash and treasures I've got guns that fit each of those descriptions.

 

[6shooter]

VDM, Thanks for that. I've always wondered what qualified as condition standards. My 1890, .41 Colt has been reblued but everything else would qualify it for VERY GOOD. Would it be very good or would it be just good due to the reblueing? Thanks, Rick

 

[Majic]

That is the NRA's standard for antiques. Standards for modern firearms are slightly different.

 

[Bowhunter]

slightly

 

[manderson]

When does a firearm achieve the status on "antique"? When it's placed on the C&R list?

 

[lonewolf]

Pretty sure,in the eyes of the BATF-and thats WHAT counts-itis 1898. MADE before then,its an "antique".

They go by serial number,so for example,if you had a Colt SAA with an 1897 serial number it would be classified as antique-with virtually NO FEDERAL paper work. But an identical one made in 1899,WOULD require more paper work (C&R?)

Only experience I have had,other than "private sales",was buying an 1896 vintage Winchester M-92 44/40 SRC at a shop I frequent. Had NO Federal forms to do,but may have changed as this was a tad over a decade ago.

Confusing right??? Add to this,some of the "unfriendly" states,that have their "own paperwork",it is more so!!

Growing up in the 50's,which had virtually NO Federal paperwork-many collectors had their "own definition" of antique they used to describe guns-at least here in Maine:If it fired self contained metallic cartridges-it was NOT an "antique!"

Bud /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif