FYI 1900 clips

[Imperial Arms]

To my fellow friends and collectors,

After reading the post provided by Don from the Chief of BATF Imports regarding the importation of a Luger magazine, I hate to say that the US has one of the most bureaucratic gun laws on the planet! I cannot believe that an old Luger magazine (less than 10 rounds) requires a ATF Form 6 for importation which usually takes 6-8 weeks for clearance. It is sad to see how terrible crimes in the US are spoiling the joy of collecting rare items. I guess that the Second Amendment is not saving the interests of US citizens and collectors! Unfortunately, with all the hysteria which has been caused by the 911 tragedy and the escalating crime in the US, I believe that the gun (import) laws might never be relaxed to a reasonable level allowing collectors the ability to import rare items from abroad.

I am providing hereunder ridiculous examples which were implemented by the BATF covering a few specific areas:

1) Mauser C96 Broomhandle pistols below the serial number 15000 (Cone Hammer and some Large Ring Hammers included) are considered antiques and exempt from the GCA because they were supposingly made before 1898. If that is the case, the BATF have their facts wrong! According to factory records which I have obtained from research, Cone Hammer pistols were manufactured between 1896-1907. Furthermore, can anyone explain to me the difference between a Cone Hammer and a Large Ring Hammer which are the same size and fire the exact same 7.63 mm cartridge which can be commercially purchased today? What makes a model 1930 Small Ring any different from a Cone Hammer, and why are the former not considered antiques? I assume that this issue/subject revolves around the 'pick out of the hat' number 1898 and why cannot it be changed to 1945?

2) According to BATF Import laws, a pre-war (even a highly collector grade) Walther PPK cannot be imported into the US as a result of its size, however, those PPK pistols already in the US can be bought and sold without any problem. What is the reason of the BATF not allowing the importation of pre-war PPK pistols if they can still be found on the market? Are they afraid that C&R PPK pistols might be used in crimes because it is a concealible weapon? What is the difference between a PPK and a PP or a post war PPK/S besides one centimeter in the length of the grip?

3) Military C&R firearms need to be imported by a licensed importer which can degraded by the awful sight of dealer import stamps. For example, what is the difference between the rare 1906 Navy Military Luger and 1906 Navy Commercial besides a few proof marks? What is the apparent reason of using a licensed importer if the firearm is a military C&R pistol? Why cannot a normal FFL dealer import a military C&R pistol?

In my opinion, the BATF is not helping in the preservation of history and they do not really recognize the collectors society who enjoy collecting WWI and WWII firearms. Although I am a German national, I can understand the frustration, shame and anger that US collectors might be experiencing.

Without knowing all the details, it might be beneficial if US collectors were introduced to a form of gun laws used in Germany which are reasonable. For example, private individuals in Germany who wish to become collectors can apply for special collector licenses which give them permission to collect specific types firearms such as Lugers, Walthers and Mausers. With this type of license, German collectors gain the same rights as US collectors and, moreover, they are allowed to import military and commercial firearms listed in their license without the services of a dealer; they simply have to pay a 10% import duty to German Customs on the declared value of the firearm.

In conclusion, I believe that the uncontrollable crime in the US is having a crippling effect on the collectors society, and unfortunately the bureaucrats and politicians do not know the difference between a collectors item and a modern firearm because to them, a firearm is a firearm.

By reason of the fact that my German nationality may have little bearing/impact on US import laws, I hope that I can eventually encourage the BATF to loosen their regulations on C&R collector items which will unlikely be used in any crime. Hopefully, a regettible experience I am having at the moment with US Customs will turn into my favor and maybe create a positive change in the future.

Albert