Taking a flintlock i to the RSA

I have a moose hunt in Canada in September and am pretty sure they do not consider a flintlock a gun so in and out should be no problem. I have a hunt booked next year in South Africa. I have not had any luck figuring out getting through customs.
The rifle does not have a serial number or I would just fill out all the forms and just throw them away if not required.

I suppose I could buy a engraving tool and add my own numbers.

Anyone been over there that knows?

Contact South African Airlines. They will advise you

ADK Bigfoot

Just put the number on it and breath easy

Just me, but I would not risk losing a fine firearm you like through damage or confiscation for breaking some made up law. I’d take a common model instead of an heirloom, my aunt’s husband lost a 1895 Winchester to Canadian police over a minor paper work snafu…..

My homeowners insurance would not insure my custom muzzleloaders for their value without proof that they had serial numbers. Ya, right I said. So I took the locks to the engraver at the jewelry store, made up my own serial numbers and had them engraved inside the lock. The insurance company was fine with that and wrote the gun policy.

Not sure if you got an answer to this yet, Buff, but I believe Mike Yancey at Pine Hollow Longbows has hunted SA with muzzleloaders.

You might give him a call and see if he has any info. Just google him, his contact info is on his website.

Buff1958 said:

I have a hunt booked next year in South Africa. I have not had any luck figuring out getting through customs.

Click to expand...

Another challenge will be getting real blackpowder for your flintlock when you arrive at your hunting destination. It’s a no go on airlines, even in checked luggage.

Went to Namibia a number years ago and planned to take a flintlock. Requested a photograph of the container for the powder the PH would be getting for me. It turned out to be a sub that the supplier said would work fine. Didn’t get the photograph until a week or so before wheels up time. I went to Africa, but the flintlock stayed home.

And don’t even consider hiding backpowder in shell casings for a cartridge type gun, though I’m sure someone will be along shortly suggesting you do that.

Buff, call Ed Rymat @ EAI Outdoors. That's my outfitter. We're going after Cape Buff, Zebra, Kudu, Warthog next month.
His lodge is out of Port Elizabeth, SA.
Good Luck.

Actually, here's his info.

Buff1958 said:

I have a moose hunt in Canada in September and am pretty sure they do not consider a flintlock a gun so in and out should be no problem. I have a hunt booked next year in South Africa. I have not had any luck figuring out getting through customs.
The rifle does not have a serial number or I would just fill out all the forms and just throw them away if not required.

I suppose I could buy a engraving tool and add my own numbers.

Anyone been over there that knows?

Click to expand...

Would you tell us who you're using and where in SA you're going? What game are you after?

Eterry said:

Buff, call Ed Rymat @ EAI Outdoors. That's my outfitter. We're going after Cape Buff, Zebra, Kudu, Warthog next month.
His lodge is out of Port Elizabeth, SA.
Good Luck.

Click to expand...

Are you taking a flintlock over there?

Bushfire said:

Are you taking a flintlock over there?

Click to expand...

No sir, I'm not. I'm think you're outfitter or PH should have answers. If not, try Ed.
This is my first trip to Africa. Taking modern guns for dangerous game.

Eterry said:

No sir, I'm not. I'm think you're outfitter or PH should have answers. If not, try Ed.
This is my first trip to Africa. Taking modern guns for dangerous game.

Click to expand...

The OP asked about taking flintlocks to Africa.

ADK Bigfoot said:

Contact South African Airlines. They will advise you

ADK Bigfoot

Click to expand...

I think he said Canada?

Check the Canadian definition of a firearm. I'm pretty sure muzzle loaders are within the definition but they don't need a permit. The best thing to do is to call Canada Customs and ask. You don't need any unpleasant surprises to ruin your trip.

He mentions both Canada and the RSA in the OP.

There were several recent topics regarding BP in SA . I believe brands were mentioned. Might have been in flintlock or general ml forums.

Eterry said:

Would you tell us who you're using and where in SA you're going? What game are you after?

Click to expand...

I am mostly taking my grandson for Kudu, gemsbuck ad impala. I used to work in the RSA and have killed several of most everything with a recurve. So this trip is mostly for him but I would likely take another Cape Buffalo if I could get it with a flint lock.

We will be hunting with Danie with https://lenyati.co.za/ I have hunted with him 8 or 10 times and after hunting with a dozen different outfits he is my favorite

Buff1958 said:

I am mostly taking my grandson for Kudu, gemsbuck ad impala. I used to work in the RSA and have killed several of most everything with a recurve. So this trip is mostly for him but I would likely take another Cape Buffalo if I could get it with a flint lock.

We will be hunting with Danie with https://lenyati.co.za/ I have hunted with him 8 or 10 times and after hunting with a dozen different outfits he is my favorite

Click to expand...

I talked to Ed, my outfitter. He said a few years ago they changed the rules; to keep black powder now has the same requirements as explosives. So they no longer do muzzleloader hunts. We didn't get into the substitutes.
I wish you good luck and great success.

SDSmlf said:

The OP asked about taking flintlocks to Africa.

Click to expand...

My outfitter used to book muzzleloader hunts in SA. I've known him for 23 years. He owns a lodge close to Port Elizabeth. I would think He knows what the current regs are.

Buff1958 said:

I am mostly taking my grandson for Kudu, gemsbuck ad impala. I used to work in the RSA and have killed several of most everything with a recurve. So this trip is mostly for him but I would likely take another Cape Buffalo if I could get it with a flint lock.

We will be hunting with Danie with https://lenyati.co.za/ I have hunted with him 8 or 10 times and after hunting with a dozen different outfits he is my favorite

Click to expand...

I have to ask, what bore, bullet, and charge would you use for Buffalo, if you Could hunt one there with Black powder?

Gemsbok are on my short list, I think they are fabulous looking animals.

As I said, I've never been to Africa, but know many who have. I've been attending DSC since 2001. Only missed during covid.