[Jarhead0331]

I've got a good friend over in Afghanistan right now and he's had the good fortune to come upon a local merchant who has offered to sell him a number of vintage firearms at dirt cheap prices. These weapons are all early-late 19th century and they all have factory stamps and appear to be French, German and British for the most part. For instance, I know there are a lot of 1858 and 1863 Enfields. There are also many pistols of unknown origin. Some are in ok condition while others are definitely showing the wear from being passed down from generation to generation. Most of the rifles have bayonets as well. I believe all of these weapons are relics and do not qualify under the "war trophy" amendments.

So here are my initial questions...

1) is it possible to import these weapons into the country. I assume it is if we go through the right channels

2) what licenses do we need to import them and pick them up at the dock? FFL? C&R?

3) what taxes apply?

4) is there a way to transfer them once they in the country without an FFL?

5) what is in demand for these types of weapons? The dealer said he can get anything from French, British or German. Are there particular models that we should look out for or try to acquire?

6) what can I tell my friend to look for to verify authenticity?

7) are there any special characteristics we can look for in order to increase demand/value?

I've asked my friend to provide me with a complete inventory ASAP so I know exactly what we're dealing with...the problem is, the dealer says he can get virtually ANYTHING...In the meantime, here are some pictures of what we've got:







Thanks in advance...

 

[southbysouthwest]

If all of the guns are 1898 or earlier they are not regulated by the ATF as firearms any longer. With that said all you will need to do on this end is fill out the proper custom forms to have it approved and then they can be shipped in. If these guns are for your own use and not to be resold, then taxes are very minimal to nil. I went thru the process with importing a few 1874 era rolling blocks and parts from Sweden and it was really a cake walk outside of the waiting...about 2 months in all to finally get forms approved, shipped and clear customs. Now on the Afghanistan side, you will still need to look into what it will take to actually get them out of that country. But the key is to make sure all of the packages have the proper custom papers/document #s attached to them before they hit USA shores to make the receiving end go smooth. For more info get in touch with the US Custom port near you for details on the forms needed.

 

[47lincsled]

importing

If you put them in boxes marked COCAINE they would probably move through the red tape a lot faster, of course you would have to pay the proper bribes but in the long run it would probably be faster and cheaper then trying to import guns. Looks like some fun stuff,isn't that one a Martini Henry? That would be neat.

 

[franks71vw]

If all of the guns are 1898 or earlier they are not regulated by the ATF as firearms any longer. With that said all you will need to do on this end is fill out the proper custom forms to have it approved and then they can be shipped in. If these guns are for your own use and not to be resold, then taxes are very minimal to nil. I went thru the process with importing a few 1874 era rolling blocks and parts from Sweden and it was really a cake walk outside of the waiting...about 2 months in all to finally get forms approved, shipped and clear customs. Now on the Afghanistan side, you will still need to look into what it will take to actually get them out of that country. But the key is to make sure all of the packages have the proper custom papers/document #s attached to them before they hit USA shores to make the receiving end go smooth. For more info get in touch with the US Custom port near you for details on the forms needed.

Um Mike what customs paper work are you talking about as Customs would only regulate ATF regs and if ATF says they are not firearms then they are good to go. Declared as pre 1898 collectables I would not see under what CFr they could even nail you off the top of my head. Maybe I missed one but I could find outwhen i go back to work enlighten me please...

 

[c322348]

Doesn't the State Department have some restrictions about what countries you can import (anything) from? Like North Korea for instance. Guns are nice, but you might actually be able to make more coin on the rugs in the background if they are old.

 

[southbysouthwest]

:....... Declared as pre 1898 collectables I would not see under what CFr they could even nail you off the top of my head. Maybe I missed one but I could find outwhen i go back to work enlighten me please...

I would have to go back and look, but I only had to deal with the US Customs office when I did my importation. I did have documentation that showed ATF didn't consider them firearms. However Sweden still did and I had to handle the custom/firearm issues to get them out of that country to start with. In the end I was able to take possession of them, after clearing customs, at the San Francisco Airport's US Custom's port office of all places.

 

[southbysouthwest]

Doesn't the State Department have some restrictions about what countries you can import (anything) from? Like North Korea for instance. Guns are nice, but you might actually be able to make more coin on the rugs in the background if they are old.

Yes, there is a list on what one is allowed to import and from which countries.

Now on those rugs, I thought the EXACT same thing as you did when I first saw the pics...cha ching!

 

[2ndShooter]

You CAN bring all that stuff back from Afghanistan.

The weird decorative looking guns might be an issue. Usually because they may contain bone or exotic wood, which could be from endangered species.

The Customs guys (Army dudes) there do a good job of keeping that stuff out of the bazaars.

After buying you can walk over to the U.S. Post Office (trailer ) and they will package and ship it for you, and help with the forms.


Bringing AK's and human ears back is of course a no-no . The items sold there don't fall into that catagory.

Tell your friend not to get too excited and not to waste all his money on that stuff. Everyone is bringing that stuff back, so there is quite a glut in the market.

Bayonets are a nice buy, lots to choose from. The Tower muskets are cool too, just make sure they are real. Remember there are entire villages designated to the manufacture of weapons, ranging from war time favorites like AK's and RPG's to the "peace time" fair of fake Martini/Enfields.

For the real ones best part is no import marks (I assume the Martini's and Enfields I see offered in SGN are import stamped?)


When I was first there you could get them for $20, and Soviet AK bayonets were a gross for $5 Now they are much more sophisticated and are importing them from Nepal if I am not mistaken. Alot of the stuff (rugs, stone-ware, so-on) are actually imports from China.

Just like at home, the businesses right out the front gate are meant to seperate a GI from his pay. Ever notice all the pawn shops, tatoo parlors, bars, fly by night car dealerships? All meant to scam lonely 18 year old home-sick troops from their cash.