U.S.-Canadian $exchange|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hi  Fellow Winchester collectors. I haven’t checked into the forum  for a while as We have just completed the sale of our former business, (Stormrunner R.V. Sales & Service) and have been busy tidying up loose ends etc.. I guess I am fully retired now and I don’t know how that makes Me feel, I’ve been working since I quit school at 14. I suppose. I’ll get used to it.                                                                                                                                                 The border crossing requirements into the U.S.for firearms, even antiques is getting more difficult. Last year I was booked into the Las Vegas and Louisville shows with 12 antique Mod. 94,s. Customs wouldn’t let Me across even though I’ve been doing this since 1978.  I had all the dates of manufacture verified with factory letters  and copies of the B.A.T.F. rules exempting antiques etc. They said I needed a commercial inbound manifest etc. and time would not allow me to get that , so I went home disappointed.  I think I just hit that officer that was having a bad day that day but not much I could do about it.                                 The other issue is the difference in the value of U.S.$,s /Can. $,s. Right now it costs Me about $1.38 Can. to purchase $1.00 U.S., so You see the dilema,  a$10,000.00 Winchester now costs Me $14,000.00. This has pretty well put a hold on purchasing in the U.S. unless there is a trade involved. However it does make it inviting to sell Stateside as I can sell that $10,000.00 Can. firearm for about $7,300.00 U.S., a bargain for the buyer and a fair price for Me.                     I am currently in the process of changing the direction of my collection. Up until now I have gathered up pretty much anything associated with Mod. ’94,s. Now I am selling/trading off all My rifles and aquireing ’94 saddle ring carbines and trappers. I have changed the content of My collection several times over the past 45 years or so and have had the privilage of owning some very interesting firearms, as I hope to be able to do so in the future providing the rules and regulations don’t get to ridiculous and the dollar difference evens out a little. For now I guess the bulk of My trading will be done in Canada. Anyway ya’ll have a fine day and a very happy Thanksgiving to all My friends in the good old U.S.A.     Harry