"dearmer," I recently purchased at Holt's March auction a cased E. J. Churchill sidelock pigeon gun, 2-barrel set. Because the gun is pre-1899, having been completed in 1898, it is an unregulated "antique firearm" in the United States. This is the first 'antique' gun by the maker seen by me; although, it is likely there are other examples extant. That it is a sidelock by Churchill is particularly gratifying. The buttstock and extension remarked will soon be sent to some fine craftsman to appropriately refinish and blend the joined pieces (Mark Larsen, etc.).




Harry Gordon (email: harry@hgss-global.co.uk) and Mark Johnson of HGSS-Global, recommended by Holt's Auctioneers, are shipping the gun to me, via the local international airport. They are very much in business. Their invoice was $508.00 USD.

This export is being effected on their Open General Export License. The oddment is that this antique firearm is being exported from England and imported into the United States on my Declaration and my completed End-User Undertaking (which goes to U.K. Customs), which indicate that the gun was completed in 1898 and that neither the gun nor its extra barrel set (circa 1939) requires a U.S. import license (or ATF Form 6), and as such is an unregulated "antique firearm" (equally not a "firearm," as that legal term is defined) in the U.S., as that legal term is defined in applicable federal statutes and regulations.

A second needed Declaration from Holt's has also been secured, together with their bill-of-sale, which provides another proof of age by its indicating the date of manufacture. Their Declaration combines with my own. All details match. U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires proof of age as an antique (which also avoids excise tax) and a bill of sale, which helpfully also indicates the date of manufacture, and all being needed to facilitate the collection of my imported antique firearm upon arrival at the airport. All paperwork, with the exception of that drafted by me from their provided paradigms, has been completed by HGSS.

The much anticipated shipment is on the cusp of being finally shipped as I write this. When arrived and personally collected, I will report back. At all events, I would highly recommend Harry and Mark to anyone exporting a firearm from the U.K. into the United States; their 30-year experience in the field is telling and virtually recommends itself.


Regards,

Edwardian