Can't say that we missed the 105 degree check out but the Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we'll be there next year for sure.

Rick, Georgia and Otis

MidwestCrisis said
So I what I’m understanding here is…  it’s not a firearm, so no issues.  Unless it happens to be a firearm in which case without ATF exemption, it’s a prison sentence.  
  

1873man said
I posted this earlier and this looks like the clearance letter although its a copy from what see handwritten on the top. Block 19 is checked and says it legal to own as long as state and local regulations don't forbid it. The ATF would check with Cody to verify its configuration and I had already checked with Cody as well and it said it a 14" carbine so the serial number comes back good. 
Bob
Correction, I think I got this confussed with the clearance letter, This looks like the tax application to the past owner.

  

Pending my state and local regulations, I personally would have no issues possessing or selling this antique status trapper. The Cody letter and other documentation appears legitimate, and the serial numbers don’t look messed with(forged). 
As far as the legalities that apply to an owner/seller, there would have to be “intent” to defraud which in most legal systems is a necessary component to secure a criminal conviction, or certain civil liabilities. I definitely don’t see that here. Nice trapper. Wish it was mine! 

Bob

Correction, I think I got this confussed with the clearance letter, This looks like the tax application to the past owner.

Anthony said

Steve,

Here's the letter previously posted by Bob, 1873man, sent to him by the OP! I did find it interesting that the serial number application date wasn't available as it stated near the top of the letter.
  

Tony
  

Tony - I also found it interesting that the museum did not have the serial number application date available.  However, given they do state the shipping dates, at least there is no question about the carbine's antique status.

Steve,

Here's the letter previously posted by Bob, 1873man, sent to him by the OP! I did find it interesting that the serial number application date wasn't available as it stated near the top of the letter.
  

Tony

MidwestCrisis said
So I what I’m understanding here is…  it’s not a firearm, so no issues.  Unless it happens to be a firearm in which case without ATF exemption, it’s a prison sentence.  
  

I would not classify this as not being a firearm, but an "Antique Firearm", as the Pre-1899 serial number indicates! If it's gun, rifle, carbine and or shoots ammunition out the end of a barrel, isn't that a Firearm?

Not looking for an argument, but the 14 inch barrel seems to make all the difference as it's shorter than the 16 inch barrel, SBR, (short barrel rifle), parameters that the ATF, consider a very important issue here.

1873man said
The only issue with I can see with just using antique status as a legal short gun is if it was a fake gun. You buy or sell one that has been modified by shortening the barrel or you have the serial number  restamped, now you my have a legal issue with it. That is what the ATF does when they inspect the gun is to make sure it was originally a short gun. Having the ATF clearance letter would make me sleep better.
Bob 
  

I am in agreement with Bob here. With that said, the OP, (owner), has the Cody letter showing the configuration it's in, but not the ATF Paper Work, showing exactly what Bob is referring to.

Tony

Bob 

Anthony said
Steve,
I also was looking at that list and didn't see the OP's firearm listed.
I'm in agreement with the arguments here as the OP, having documentation, verifying the status from Cody as the Pre-1899 Antique M-1873 left the factory as is, with the 14 inch barrel, should be automatically on the C & R List! IMHO!
With the proper documentation verifying that it hasn't been altered or a cut down version of a longer barreled rifle.
It's a collectable antique rifle and nothing more. For some reason, any firearm shorter than the 16 inch barrel, the ATF seems to have an issue with. We as a collectors group, would most certainly like to see the ATF, make some changes in these regards.
The other issue is the different and vague answers when trying to find out more from this Government agency. Some may consider it a grey area, but it needs to be addressed.
We have an honest collector here trying to get some answers and all we can do is suggest he goes to the ATF, and get this thing on the list, or at least exempt with current paper work! 
Tony
  

Tony - but given the antique status, does it even need to be on the C&R list at all?  Technically, it is an antique rifle, not a C&R or modern rifle.  C&R rules shouldn't apply.  

Back to the list I posted earlier, I should have highlighted that the 14 inch barreled Model 1886 they list, is a .33.  That caught my attention.  I sure would like to know more about that rifle including its other features, who bought it, what it was used for etc.  Anyone here have it?

It surely does seem this shipper is into substantial profit.  Having lived a while now, it's my observation that when it comes to capitalism, pricing is much more determined by whatever the market will tolerate vs. morality or ethics.  I see that for those auction houses that outsource their shipping, buyers are left in much more unaware/unsuspecting vulnerable situation.  The auction house can wash their hands of it pointing out bidders were made aware that they don't handle the shipping.  It's a set-up to get stung.  I don't care for it at all and I would have not appreciated being in the situation you found yourself in.

Rick C said
To elaborate further on my comments, that was the answer I got from an agent out of the field office in Bangor, Maine a few years back. You probably get a different answer from a different agent so…
  

Agreed Rick!

In speaking with different agents and getting different answers, it would be nice to get one that was willing to work with the owner involved in search of getting things properly straightened out, but I feel unfortunately with delays and getting passed off by most, it's a long and arduous trail!

A paper trail of emails, might be the way to go, and getting the right work accomplished, MIGHT get done!

Tony