These days, antique guns are a major business, and there are thousands of collectors all over the United States. If you’ve been given antique guns in an inheritance or if you’re ready to find a new hobby, you should have no trouble finding buyers. According to federal law, a gun is considered antique if it was made during or before 1898, and there are far fewer restrictions on the sale and trade of antiques.
You should know, however, that just because federal law doesn’t require you to have a license to legally sell your antique guns, it doesn’t mean your state doesn’t impose further regulation. Some states, such as New York, have extremely rigid gun laws that prevent you from selling any firearm without certain documentation. So before you put an ad in the paper, make sure you know your state’s laws concerning this practice.
If none exist, you need only verify that your gun is an antique to legally sell it in the U.S. This can usually be accomplished by taking it to a certified appraiser, who can tell you with certainty when it was manufactured and whether there are any restrictions. For example, antique guns that have been modified in certain ways require a license to be sold, so make sure you know what you have before you try to sell it.
There are five tried-and-true ways to legally sell your antique guns:
Classified Ads. The first method is through a classified ad in a newspaper, a magazine or online. This might be the least cost-efficient way because you have to pay for the ad, and you never know if any interested buyers might see it. However, most major newspapers have specific areas dedicated to firearms and to collectibles, so this might be an option.
Gun Shows. If you’ve never been to one of these, you’re in for a real experience. You can legally sell your antique guns at these events, but you should know that most are patrolled by police officers who will want to verify that you have an antique. Bring your paperwork from the appraiser just in case, and set up a booth if you have several you want to sell.
Antique Dealers. Although dealers usually offer lower prices because they’re focused on overhead and profit, this might be the fastest way to legally sell your antique guns. They will look it over carefully and might offer an individual appraisal, then will offer you a price based on what they think they can get from a collector or other buyer.
Auction House. Another way to legally sell your antique guns is through an auction house. If you have beautiful specimens without much wear and tear, this might be the most profitable way to go. You can be assured to get the best price among the people in attendance, and you can build a name for yourself if that’s what you want.
Consignment Shops. If you don’t need money immediately, you can legally sell your antique guns through a consignment shop. You’ll hand over the weapon and you’ll be given the contact information for the dealer and you’ll be notified if and when it sells. You don’t get money until it does, and the gun will be returned to you if it doesn’t leave the shelf.
