Curio and Relics firearms are weapons determined by the federal government to be collectible. By merely applying for the C&R license, anyperson who is legally allowed to purchase a firearm can become a licensed collector. As a licensed C&R Federal Firearms Licensee you have the capability of purchasing firearms through the mail at wholesale prices. This can make a big difference in the price paid for firearms. Even more importantly, as a licensed collector one can receive C&R firearms through the mail without having to pay a Class 1 FFL to do the transfer. On my first purchase with my C&R FFL I more than made up the cost of the $30 application fee.
What type of weapons are available as curios and relics? The easiest (and hence incomplete) answer to that question is that if the firearm was manufactured fifty or more years ago it is a C&R weapon. This includes virtually all small arms from the World War II era and before. Additionally, if the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms deems a particular weapon to be "collectible" then it is also added to the C&R list. A complete list of firearms deemed to be C&R weapons is available from the BATF.
But why would somebody want to buy a weapon that is 50 years old when I can get a new one? The answer to this question is fourfold. First, there is no 15 day waiting period or DROSS fees associated with C&R weapons. Second, firearms that are well taken care of last much longer than 50 years. Third, in general, C&R firearms are inexpensive. Fourth, purchasing a firearm that may have seen action adds to the sense of history involved with the firearms. What thoughts were going through the original owner's mind while he held this weapon? Did he fire it out of anger or fear? Did he make it through the battles in one piece? No anti-septic, stainless steel, fiberglass impregnated modern firearm will bring forth the same mental imagery as a curio & relic.
Weapons Worth Collecting
The world of C&R firearms is vast. Because of this, most collectors choose a particular area of interest to collect. One could choose this basedupon such aspects as country of origin, era of manufacture, type of weapon (pistol, carbine, long rifle, sniper), or some other criteria that helps narrow the collecting field. I have decided to approach my C&R collecting based upon a particular caliber of ammunition: the 7.62x54R.
This round was primarily used in Eastern Europe from the late 19th century to shortly after World War II. This round is accurate, powerful (ranks somewhere between a .308 and .30-06), and inexpensive. The most common firearms chambered for the 7.62x54R cartridge include the following:
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Mosin-Nagant M1891 Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M1891 Dragoon Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M1910 Carbine |
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Mosin-Nagant M91/30 Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M91/30 Sniper Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M38 Carbine |
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Mosin-Nagant M44 Carbine |
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Mosin-Nagant M91/59 Carbine |
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Mosin-Nagant M91/24 Civil Guard Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M27 Short Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M28 Civil Guard Short Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M28/30 Civil Guard Short Rifle |
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Mosin-Nagant M39 |
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SVT-38 |
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SVT-40 |
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Draganov |
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Type 53 |
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Places Related to C&R Firearms.
Empire Arms Homepage A fine selection of weapons for purchase...be sure to join the mailing list!
Century International Arms This the the grand-daddy of C&R firearm suppliers.
Classic Arms Homepage Many fine C&R and modern firearms.
SAMCO Global Arms A nice selection of long-arms...slow page to load but gobs of neat graphics. Curio & Relics Firearms Page
Mosinman's Interactive Site Chat, leave messages, and buy/sell/trade C&R firearms.
