1876 Peacemaker

[rrengineer]

What does it take to transfer a blackpowder frame Colt Peacemaker made in 1876? Is this considered an antique? Paperwork necessary? I have a friend that wants to sell me a gun like this for a fair price.

[smle-man]

It is a cartridge handgun most likely chambered for a currently made round so the State says DROS it.

[rrengineer]

I wouldn't dare put a currently made round in this gun. In fact I would never shoot it, but I get your point about the bureaucratic idiocy in this state.

[AR22]

You mean to say you guys cannot even buy pre 1898 antiques without paperwork out there now. That does not sound right. Can ship right to the door in most places.?

As far as shooting it. If in good condition, go ahead. That is what they are made for. Modern made ammo for old calibers is loaded for safe use in Antique Firearms. ... Oldest one I shoot is a 1816 Harpers Ferry original Musket.

I shoot alot of current made 44-40, 38-40,45LC and such in pre 1898 antiques also. That is what the ammo is made for.

[Bart1015]

I would buy it and never shoot it. Buy a reproduction to have fun with.

As far as paperwork, its an antique and it is made to shoot black powder. However, I am almost positive because it is a cartridge centerfire you must paper it in Ca.

I really can't find the actual PC on this but I know it has been talked about before.

BTW, I have a few of these old Colts and I will never shoot them. I just really like the associated history and "coolness factor".

Brett

[AR22]

Shooting repro is just not like the feeling of firing off a original. Just no comparison.

To each his own though. I personally think if you are not buying a Firearm to atleast shoot and enjoy occasionally. Just as well print a photo and put it on the wall. I am the other way. If you just want to look at it, a repro would be fine.

Unless it has some kind of important provenance,historical things like it belonged to Jesse James or similar.. Shoot the dang thing. More shoot them, than look at em, I guarantee you. Not saying take it out everyday and fire a 100 rounds. No one even did that back in the day. But a Box occasionally will not harm it or its value at all.

If you get it OP, please post some pics.

[Spaffo]

Antique, no paperwork required. Modern cartridge restriction only for reproductions (read the actual Fed statute. Which California uses. Some websites, etc. have incorrect info.

[rrengineer]

Antique firearm means any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or centerfire ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before 1898) and also any firearm manufactured in or before 1898 using fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the U.S. and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

Found this when I googled California law. Fed law is identicle recording. Not sure of the wording though. What is "fixed ammunition"?

[AR22]

Fixed Ammunition

That would be a reference to Cartridge ammunition, self contained with a bullet, case,powder and primer all pre assembled so to speak into one component... As opposed to a Muzzle Loader type, or cap and ball revolver that all the components which make it operate assemble separately in the process of loading it.

It is all nonsense, as in the end they accomplish the same thing anyway.

[rrengineer]

Do they consider black powder loads not readily available in the commercial trade?

[AR22]

Federal Law regarding a pre 1899 Antique really does not bring ammunition type into play at all, or specify Black Powder VS Smokeless into play. Most modern 44-40 for instance is now made in Smokeless and Blackpowder. I shoot Modern made smokeless 44-40 in my old Whitney Kennedy Lever Action.

If it is a antique by serial number or known not to have been made any longer past 1898. To the ATF, it is simply not considered a Firearm or regulated like modern (Post 1898) Manufactured Firearms Laws.

My Whitney Kennedy for example was last made around 1885 when Winchester bought em out and shut them down. It can ship right to your Door.

[Jess B. Guy]

IMHO (which sometimes isn't so humble) an 1876 Peacemaker is history in and of itself. 3 years after introduction, you need to stop and think. Is it original? Condition? Colt Archives should tell you when it was made and where it was shipped. That's American history. Could have belonged to the 7th Cavalry in June 1876. How cool would that be.

If you want to shoot it, light loads. Treat it with respect. Great find.