I specified the "Antiques" section which the definition clearly applies to muzzle loading pistols & C&B revolvers.
This thread involves shipping C&B revolvers which the rules below apply to.
If you can post something else that's currently in the USPS regulations that states otherwise, then I will be all ears.
"Antiques:
Antique firearms are defined as any muzzleloading rifle/shotgun/pistol, which is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition.
They must be:
- Mailed between curio and relic collectors only when those firearms also meet the definition of an antique firearm.
- Certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest."
https://support.shippingeasy.com/hc...ules-and-Restrictions-USPS-UPS-FedEx-Overview
Curious why you quote a ‘regulation’ interpretation from a third party, ShippingEasy Support Center, instead of going to the USPS website? Below is directly from the USPS,
Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates, and is their definition of a firearm (12.1.1a). Notice what is not included in the definition of the term firearm, which I have highlighted. The
term shall not include an antique firearm. Below that is the USPS definition of the term antique firearm (12.1.1h), basically what I have been understanding for years. Antique firearm means any muzzle loading rifle/shotgun/pistol that is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute and that cannot use fixed ammunition..... manufactured on or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
The last cap and ball pistol I ‘mailed’ was sent out in June of this year. Bride took it to the USPS, mailed it and it was confirmed delivered a few days latter. I asked her last night if she remembered what questions they asked or what she told them. She forgot exactly what they asked, ‘maybe something about anything dangerous’, but she used the cheat sheet I gave her, and she told them it was an unloaded replica of antique cap and ball pistol. They didn’t bat an eye as they took the USPS Flat Rate box and the money.
_______________________________________________
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
* * * * *
12.0 Other Restricted and Nonmailable Matter
[Revise title of 12.1 as follows:]
12.1 Firearms
12.1.1 Definitions
The terms used in this standard are defined as follows:
[Delete current items 12.1.1a and 12.1.1g in their entirety and replace with the following.]
a.
Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device;
but the term shall not include an antique firearm.
...
.
h. Antique firearm means any muzzle loading rifle/shotgun/pistol that is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute and that cannot use fixed ammunition (except those that incorporate a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm that is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof); or any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured on or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:
1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
