A question about 1898

Weasel505 · 07-01-2009, 04:09 PM

Hi,

I've always wondered: why is the cut-off date for modern vs. "antique" firearms set at 1898 (in the U.S.)? Who picked this date and why? After all, an "antique" Colt .45 from the 1870s can be just as deadly as a "modern" M1911.

Thanks.

Weasel

Mauser720 · 07-01-2009, 07:27 PM

Weasel505 -

The Mauser Model 1898 rifle action was considered to be the transition point between antique and modern firearms because of its superior engineering design, strength, and reliability. Consequently, 1898 was chosen as the point in time to make a distinction between an "antique" and a "modern" firearm. The model 1898 Mauser rifle action is still being used and manufactured in modern high powered bolt action rifles.

So it is not so much a matter of being "deadly" as it is a matter of engineering design strength, safety, and reliability. The year 1898 was chosen for this reason. As the saying goes: "You have to start somewhere."

Mauser720 - Ron

Edward Tinker · 07-01-2009, 09:07 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique_guns

I had read years ago that antiques must be over 100 years, however, as a kid in the 1970's most antique dealers I remember considered that if it was made before 1900 it was an antique...

But thats just a feeling.

Ed

PS: "Weasel" its kind of nice to see a real name, rather than total anonymous member…

Weasel505 · 07-01-2009, 09:40 PM

No way.

Bob Kingsley

West Chester, Pennsylvania USA

"Weasel" is just an old nickname.

Thanks for reading. Your and others' expertise on this site is astounding.

Bob

Edward Tinker · 07-01-2009, 10:30 PM

Bob, thanks, I didn't mean to sound like it might have, and we're neighbors, I live south of Allentown

Ed

sheepherder · 07-02-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

PS: "Weasel" its kind of nice to see a real name, rather than total anonymous member…

It's interesting that you should mention this...I just printed out my latest username/password list; it's now 7 pages long...I've found that some sites/Forums won't accept my first choices...In my case, "Rich B."...It'll say "Name Already In Use"...So I'll try something offbeat like "platypusP08"...and it says, again "Already In Use"...So then I'll try "mxyzlfpwxa" or similar...And once again, "Already In Use"...Finally, I'll try "Cardeno"...and it'll accept it...

It's like it is programmed to reject the first choices whether they are actually in use or not...

So now I don't bother trying to get my proper name in my username...

Edward Tinker · 07-02-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

...So now I don't bother trying to get my proper name in my username...

No proper first name in their profile and I have trouble trusting the writer in my opinion. On this board, the last name does not show; on Jan's board it does; so If they want information, they can follow simple rules; first name, last initial, and state.

I find it irritating that folks put down "USA" for location, or no location.

Iran (or the like) and they couldn't fit in a BDU for the last 25 years....

cma22inc · 07-02-2009, 10:31 AM

I wish the powers that be would just revist the "1898" date and just say that anything over a hundred. So anything made before 1909 would be an antique and next year would be 1910 etc.

I think that would make more sense. Kinda like the 50 year C&R rule.

sheepherder · 07-02-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

No proper first name in their profile and I have trouble trusting the writer in my opinion...

You don't trust your postino???

(My username here is the job I've held for the last 25 years...)

alvin · 07-02-2009, 05:22 PM

If BATF could be more lenient, I hope they could add Luger 1900 and all Broomhandle Large Ring into the antique list. Although they are post 1898, who would commit a crime with those things nowadays.

Piet · 07-05-2009, 12:07 PM

It is classified as a firearm loaded from the front, manufactured before 1 January 1900, or a replica of such firearm. NO LICENCE REQUIRED! (Only a permit to posess the powder)
The past few days I had the opportunity to join a hunting party. Amongst them were two hunters who shot with these replicas. They were successful, and shot 4 animals with 4 shots. It puts down a blue wildebeest without any trouble.
I took a shot with a .5" on the shooting range. Nice kick! The additional benefit is the smokescreen after the shot to get away in the case of the animal charging!
Piet

07-01-2009, 04:09 PM	#1
Weasel505 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A question about 1898 Hi, I've always wondered: why is the cut-off date for modern vs. "antique" firearms set at 1898 (in the U.S.)? Who picked this date and why? After all, an "antique" Colt .45 from the 1870s can be just as deadly as a "modern" M1911. Thanks. Weasel

07-01-2009, 09:07 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique_guns I had read years ago that antiques must be over 100 years, however, as a kid in the 1970's most antique dealers I remember considered that if it was made before 1900 it was an antique... But thats just a feeling. Ed PS: "Weasel" its kind of nice to see a real name, rather than total anonymous member… __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-01-2009, 09:40 PM	#4
Weasel505 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Me, anymouse? No way. Bob Kingsley West Chester, Pennsylvania USA "Weasel" is just an old nickname. Thanks for reading. Your and others' expertise on this site is astounding. Bob

07-02-2009, 10:31 AM	#8
cma22inc User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tampa Bay FL Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I wish the powers that be would just revist the "1898" date and just say that anything over a hundred. So anything made before 1909 would be an antique and next year would be 1910 etc. I think that would make more sense. Kinda like the 50 year C&R rule. __________________ Matt A. Tampa, FL (C&R) Collector

07-05-2009, 12:07 PM	#11
Piet User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 143 Thanks: 155 Thanked 35 Times in 22 Posts	Antique in South Africa It is classified as a firearm loaded from the front, manufactured before 1 January 1900, or a replica of such firearm. NO LICENCE REQUIRED! (Only a permit to posess the powder) The past few days I had the opportunity to join a hunting party. Amongst them were two hunters who shot with these replicas. They were successful, and shot 4 animals with 4 shots. It puts down a blue wildebeest without any trouble. I took a shot with a .5" on the shooting range. Nice kick! The additional benefit is the smokescreen after the shot to get away in the case of the animal charging! Piet

07-01-2009, 07:27 PM	#2
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	Weasel505 - The Mauser Model 1898 rifle action was considered to be the transition point between antique and modern firearms because of its superior engineering design, strength, and reliability. Consequently, 1898 was chosen as the point in time to make a distinction between an "antique" and a "modern" firearm. The model 1898 Mauser rifle action is still being used and manufactured in modern high powered bolt action rifles. So it is not so much a matter of being "deadly" as it is a matter of engineering design strength, safety, and reliability. The year 1898 was chosen for this reason. As the saying goes: "You have to start somewhere." Mauser720 - Ron

07-01-2009, 10:30 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	Bob, thanks, I didn't mean to sound like it might have, and we're neighbors, I live south of Allentown Ed

07-02-2009, 05:22 PM	#10
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	If BATF could be more lenient, I hope they could add Luger 1900 and all Broomhandle Large Ring into the antique list. Although they are post 1898, who would commit a crime with those things nowadays.