Until fairly recently, the law in the UK on antique guns has been rather vague, and open to significant interpretation on what constituted ‘antique’. Previously, the Firearms Act 1968 provided an exemption from licensing for antique guns:

‘Nothing in this Act relating to firearms shall apply to an antique firearm which is sold, transferred, purchased, acquired or possessed as a curiosity or ornament

Fortunately this is pretty simple to interpret and does what it says on the tin, but my definition of ‘antique’ might be different to yours. This vagueness, which is pretty typical of English legislative drafting, is not too much use to us as collectors. This lack of clarity has therefore been addressed in the Police and Crime Act 2017 (effective 21st March 2021).

Antique Propulsion Systems

In order for a firearm to be considered an antique, regardless of its propulsion system, it must first be established that it is made prior to 1 September 1939. Therefore, no guns made after this date are antique and are subject to licensing requirements.

So, assuming a gun is manufactured prior to this date, see this chart below for what is classed as an antique.

Propulsion systemClassed as antique
Flintlock
Percussion
Wheel lock
Matchlock
Centre fireYes, see exemptions below
Rim fireYes, other than .22 diameter and 9mm Flobert
Pin fire
Needle Fire
Other early breech loading systems (cup fire, teat fire etc.)

For example, you can therefore keep as an antique gun a James Purdey percussion rifle, made circa 1820. If you wanted a modern reproduction percussion rifle, you would need a firearms licence in order to acquire.

Obsolete Calibre Centrefire & Rimfire

As mentioned above, all rimfire guns made before 1/9/1939 chambered for cartridges other than .22 and 9mm Flobert are classed as obsolete, therefore antiques.

Centrefire guns are rather more complicated and depends on the calibre of the gun. All centre fire guns made after 1/9/1939 are subject to licensing requirements without exception.

Some centrefire guns made before this date are permitted, depending on the calibre. The full list of calibres exempt from licensing requirements are set out below.

Antique Centrefire Rifles (Imperial designation)Antique Centrefire Rifles (Metric DesignationAntique Centrefire Pistols (Imperial Designation)Antique Centrefire Pistols (Metric Designation)Other Rifles, Shotguns, Punt Guns
.22 Extra Long Maynard5.2 mm Mondragon.22 CF experimental2.7 mm Kolibri7 mm CF Walking Stick
.22-15-60 Stevens5.2 x 34 mm R Kronprinz.230 CF3 mm Kolibri9.1 x 40 mm Walking Stick
.25-20 Single Shot5.6 x 33 mm Rook.31 Thuer4.25 mm Liliput11.15 x 52 mm Walking Stick
.25-21 Stevens5.6 x 34 R mm Francotte Carbine.32 Protector5 mm Bergmann No.2 Pistol M.94 (no extractor groove).360 Shotgun
.25-25 Stevens6 mm Lee Navy (6 x 60 mm).32-44 Smith & Wesson5 mm Bergmann No.2 Pistol M.96 (extractor groove)32 bore
.250 Rook (or .297/.250 Rook)6 x 29.5 mm Stahl.340 Long Revolver5 mm Brun24 bore
.255 Jeffery Rook6 x 58 mm Forster (rimmed and rimless).340 Short Revolver5 mm Charola y Anitua14 bore
.26 BSA (.26 Rimless Belted Nitro Express)6 x 58 mm Gewehrprufungkommission M.1897.360 Thuer5 mm Clement10 bore (2 7/8 inch case length)
.275 Jeffery6.5 mm Mondragon (6.5 x 53mm).430 Revolver5 mm French10 bore (2 5/8 inch case length)
.276 Enfield P.136.5 x 27 mm R.44 Colt Revolver5 mm Pickert8 bore
.28-30-120 Stevens6.5 x 40 mm R.44 Devilliers5.2 mm Pickert Revolver4 bore
.297/.230 Sporting6.5 x 48 mm R Sauer.44 Merwin & Hulbert, Short5.43 x 26.8 mm Revolver3 bore
.297/.230 Morris6.5 x 53mm R Mannlicher (Dutch/Romanian).44 Merwin & Hulbert, Long5.5 mm Velo-Dog Revolver2 bore
.298 Minex6.6 x 70 mm R.44 Remington Revolver6 mm Beaumont Revolver1 1/8 bore
.300 (.295) Rook7.5 x 53 mm Schmidt Rubin M.1890, Swiss.44 S&W American6 mm Merveilleux1 1/4 bore
.300 Sherwood7.5 x 53.5 mm R Rubin.44 Thuer6 mm Protector1 1/2 bore.
.300/.250 Rook7.5 x 53.5 mm Rimless Rubin.440 Revolver6.3 x 21 mm rimless 
.30/30 Wesson7.53 x 60 mm R Hebler.440 Long Revolver6.5 mm Bergmann No.3 M.94 Pistol (no extractor groove) 
.30-40 Wesson7.7 x 60 mm R.440 Nagant (Argentine Model)6.5 mm Bergmann No.3 M.93 Pistol (extractor groove) 
.310 Cadet8 x 48 mm R.442 Long Revolver6.5 mm Mannlicher Pistol M.1894 
.310 Greener8 x 48 mm R Sauer.45 Mars Short6.5 mm Ronezewsky 
.310/.300 Rook (.305 or .300 Rook Special), 1 1/16 inch8 x 55 mm R Petit Gras.45 Mars Long6.8 mm Schulhof Pistol 
.320/.230 Rook8 x 56 mm Mannlicher Schoenauer.45 MP (Maxim Pistol)6.8 x 19.6 mm Revolver 
.32 CF Long Rifle (Rook)8 x 57 mm R Petit Gras.450 No.1 Bland7 mm Bar 
.32 Ideal8 x 57 mm R Experimental, Spanish.50 Remington Army Pistol, M.18717 mm Charola y Anitua 
.32-35 Stevens8 x 57.5 mm R Rubin.50 Remington Navy Pistol, M.18677 mm Devisme 
.32-40 Bullard8 x 58 mm R Krag.50 Springfield Pistol, M.18697 mm Thick Rim, French 
.32-40 Remington-Hepburn8 x 58 mm R Petit Gras.500 Revolver7 x 20 mm Target Pistol, German (46) 
.32-40 Winchester and Ballard8 x 58 mm R Sauer.577 Pistol.7 x 22 mm Target Pistol, German (47) 
.33 BSA (.33 Belted Rimless Nitro Express)8 x 60 mm R Guedes & Portuguese Kropatschek 7 x 25 mm Target Pistol, German (48) 
.35-30 Maynard8 x 61 mm R Rubin 7 x 30 mm Target Pistol, German (49) 
.35-40 Maynard8 x 72 mm R 7 mm Galand 
.360 No 2 Nitro Express8 x 75 mm R Pieri 7 mm Revolver 
.360 Gibbs No.38 mm Murata 7.25 mm Adler 
.360 Gibbs No.4 (also known as .380 Gibbs No.4)8.15 mm Mauser, Experimental 7.65 mm Frommer M.1901 
.360 Long Rifle (Rook)8.15 x 46 mm R (Target) 7.65 mm Roth Sauer 
.360 Westley Richards, No.3 Express8.3 x 53.5 mm R Rubin 7.7 mm Bittner Pistol 
.360/.300 Fraser9 x 51.5 mm R Rubin 7.8 mm Bergmann No.5 
.360 - 2 7/16 inch Black Powder9 x 56 mm Mannlicher Schoenauer 7.8 x 19 mm R Laumann 
.360 - 2 ¾ inch Boxer9 x 57 mm R Mauser 8 mm Bergmann No.1 Pistol 
.369 Purdey9 x 57 mm Rimless Mauser 8 mm Bergmann No.4 
.38-35 Stevens Everlasting9 x 57 mm R Rubin 8 mm Bergmann No.7 
.38-40 Ballard Everlasting9.3 x 58 mm R Koeffler 8 mm Bergmann-Schmeisser 
.38-40 Remington-Hepburn9.3 x 63.5 mm R Koeffler 8 mm Target Pistol, German 
.38-45 Bullard9.3 x 65 mm R Collath 8 mm Gaulois Pistol 
.38-56 Winchester9.3 x 70 mm R 8 mm Protector 
.38-70 Winchester9.3 x 75 mm R Nimrod 8 mm Raphael 
.38-90 Winchester9.3 x 82 mm R Nimrod 8 mm Roth Steyr 
.380 – 2 1/4 inch Rigby (Black Powder Express)9.5 x 42 mm R (for Target or Schutzen rifles) 8 mm Schonberger 
.380 Black Powder Express (also known as .360 - 2 1/4 inch)9.5 x 47 mm R (for Target or Schutzen rifles) 8 mm Schulof 
.380 Long Rifle (Rook)9.5 x 57 mm Mannlicher Schoenauer 8.5 mm Mars 
.40 BSA (.40 Belted Rimless Nitro Express)9.5 x 59 mm R Gras, Experimental 9 mm Nagant, Belgian 
.40-40 Maynard9.5 x 60 mm R Mauser, Turkish 9 mm Devisme 
.40-50 Sharps Straight10 x 47 mm R 9 mm Thick Rim, French 
.40-60 Marlin10.15 x 61 mm R Jarmann 9 mm Mars 
.40-60 Maynard10.15 x 61 mm R 9 mm Moutier Rimless, Grooveless 
.40-60 Winchester10.15 x 63 mm R Mauser, Serbian 10 mm Bergmann 
.40-63 Ballard10.16 x 57 mm R, Berdan, Experimental 10 mm Gaupillat 
.40-65 Ballard Everlasting10.25 x 69 mm R Hunting Express 10 mm Mars 
.40-65 Sharps Straight10.3 x 41 mm R 10 mm Mauser Short 
.40-65 Winchester10.3 x 65 mm R Baenziger 10 mm Mauser Long 
.40-70 Ballard10.35 x 47 mm R Vetterli, Italian 10.4 mm Swiss M.1878 
.40-70 Maynard10.4 x 38 mm R Martini Galland 10.6 mm Mauser 
.40-70 Peabody What Cheer10.4 x 42 mm R Vetterli, Swiss 11 mm Devilliers 
.40-70 Sharps Necked10.4 x 47 mm R Stahl 11 mm Devisme 
.40-70 Sharps Straight10.4 x 56 mm R Swiss 11 mm French Ordnance Revolver M.1870 (Navy) 
.40-70 Winchester10.66 x 48 mm R Berdan Carbine, Russian 11.35 mm Schouboe, Rimmed 
.40-72 Winchester10.66 x 57 mm R Berdan, Russian & Bulgarian 11.35 mm Schouboe, Rimless 
.40-75 Bullard10.7 x 57 mm R Krag Petersson 12 mm Moutier 
.40-82 Winchester10.75 x 55 mm R 12 mm Pidault & Cordier 
.40-85 Ballard10.8 x 47 mm Martini (Target) 12 mm Perrin, Thick Rim 
.40-90 Bullard11 mm Manceaux 12 mm Raphael 
.40-90 Sharps Necked11 x 42 mm R 15 mm Revolver 
.40-90 What Cheer11 x 43 mm R Comblain, Carbine 16.5 x 18 R mm Beringer. 
.40-110 Winchester Express11 x 45 mm R   
.40 (.50-70 base) Caliber Reduction, Experimental11 x 46 mm R   
.400 – 2 1/2 inch, Kynoch11 x 48.5 mm R Gras, ‘Battalion Ecole’   
.400 – 2 3/4 inch, Westley Richards11 x 50 mm R Remington, Egyptian   
.400 Purdey (.400 – 3 inch, Straight)11 x 50.5 mm R Comblain   
.400 – 3 1/4 inch, Boxer11 x 53 mm Gevelot   
.400/360 2 3/4 inch, Nitro Express11 x 57 mm R Remington, Spanish   
.402 Enfield-Martini, Experimental11 x 59 mm R Gras   
.42 (.50-70 base) Caliber Reduction, Experimental11 x 70 mm R Mitrailleuse   
.425 Westley Richards Magnum11.15 x 36 mm R Werndl Carbine, Austrian   
.425 Webley (.425 – 1 5/16 Webley)11.15 x 36 R Fruhwirth   
.430 Long Rifle (also known as .430 Long Revolver)11.15 x 37 mm R Grensaufsehr   
.44 Dupee Rimless11.15 x 42 mm R Werndl, Austrian   
.44 Evans (Short)11.15 x 50 mm R (for Target or Schutzen rifles)   
.44 Evans (Long)11.15 x 58 mm R   
.44 Morse Necked11.15 x 58 mm R Werndl, Austrian, Holub & Mannlicher   
.44-50 Meigs11.15 x 60 mm R Murata, Japanese   
.44-60 Creedmore11.15 x 60 mm R Mauser   
.44-77 Remington11.15 x 65 mm R   
.44-90 Sharps (Necked) 2 7/16 inch11.15 x 71 mm R   
.44-90 Sharps (Necked) 2 5/8 inch11.2 x 39.6 mm R   
.44-90 Remington Special (Necked)11.2 x 51 mm R Kropatschek-Hessig   
.44-95 Peabody What Cheer11.25 x 44.5 mm R   
.44-100 Maynard11.3 x 51 mm R Beaumont, Dutch   
.442 - 1.025 inch Carbine11.4 x 44.5 mm R Gendarmerie Carbine, Dutch   
.45 Boxer-Henry, Long Chamber 186911.4 x 53 mm R Comblain, Brazilian   
.45 Brown Standard Military Target Rifle11.4 x 57 mm R Remington, Spanish   
.45 Gardner, Gatling & Nordenfeldt11.43 x 41 mm R Peabody-Martini, Carbine   
.45 New South Wales Police Carbine11.43 x 49 mm R Peabody, Romanian   
.45 Turkish Peabody (also known as 11.43 x 55 mm R Turkish)11.43 x 59 mm R Peabody-Martini, Turkish   
.45 US Experimental 186911.5 x 35 mm R Werder, Carbine   
.45-50 Sporting11.5 x 50 mm R Werder, Austrian   
.45-75 Winchester11.5 x 60 mm R   
.45-85 Ward Burton, Experimental11.53 mm Albini-Braendlin   
.45-125 Winchester11.6 x 50 mm R Comblain, Chilean   
.45-200-500 Winchester, Experimental11.7 x 41.5 mm R Remington, Danish   
.45 (.50-70 base) Caliber Reduction, Experimental11.7 x 45.5 mm R Remington, Danish   
.450 No.1, Black Powder Express, Case Length: 1 1/2 inch11.7 x 51.6 mm R Remington, Danish   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case Length: 2 1/2 inch11.7 x 57 mm R Berdan, Experimental   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case Length: 2 6/10 inch12.2 x 70 mm R Mitrailleuse   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case Length: 2 9/16 inch12.5 x 60 mm R   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case length: 3 inch12.7 x 48 mm R   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case Length: 3 1/16 inch12.7 x 70 mm R Mitrailleuse   
.450 Black Powder Express, Case Length: 3 1/4 inch12.8 x 45 mm R Papal Remington, Vatican Guard (also known as 12.7 x 45 mm R)   
.450 Needham13 mm Rochaz-Lindner   
.450 – 2 1/2 inch, Soper13 x 87 mm R Mitrailleuse   
.450/.350 – 2 3/8 inch13 x 92 mm Mauser, Tankgewehr   
.450/.360 – 2 3/8 inch, Purdey13.2 x 32 R   
.450/.400 Black Powder, Case Length: 2 3/8 inch14.5 x 33 mm R Wanzl, Austrian   
.450/.400 Black Powder, Case Length: 2 7/8 inch14.5 x 41 mm R Berdan, Spanish   
.450/.400 Black Powder, Case Length: 2 19/32 inch, T. Turner, No.214.66 x 35 mm R Peabody, Serbian   
.450/.400 Black Powder, Case Length: 2 3/4 inch, Westley Richards14.7 x 58 mm R Schneider   
.450/.400 Black Powder, Case Length: 3 1/4 inch15.2 x 28 mm R   
.450/.400, Case Length: 3 inch, Jeffery15.2 x 110 mm R Mitrailleuse   
.450 No.1 Carbine, 1 9/16 inch (.500/.450 No.1 Carbine)15.24 x 40 mm R Krnka, Transformed   
.450 No.1 Musket, 2 1/4 inch (.500/.450 No.1 Musket)17 x 28 mm R Snider, Danish   
.450 No.2 Musket, 2 11/32 inch (.500/.450 Westley Richards No.2 Musket)17.5 x 29 mm R Snider, Dutch   
.46 Winchester18 x 35 mm R Tabatiere   
.461 Gibbs No.1, Case length: 2 11/32 inch18.84 x 38 mm R Tabatiere   
.461 Gibbs No.2, Case length: 2 3/4 inch18.84 x 57 mm R Wanzl-Albini, Wall Gun.   
.475 3 1/4 inch Nitro Express    
.475 No 2 Jeffery Nitro Express    
.475 No 2 Nitro Express    
.476 Nitro Express (.476 Westley Richards)    
.476 Indian Police    
.48 Morse    
.490 BSA (Experimental Police)    
.50 Boxer 1867    
.50 Daw’s Patent 1867    
.50 Meigs    
.50 Morse    
.50 Peabody    
.50 Spencer Carbine    
.50 Springfield Cadet    
.50-50 Maynard    
.50-70 Maynard    
.50-70 Springfield (US Govt)    
.50-90 2.5 inch    
.50-95 Winchester (Winchester Express)    
.50-100-450 Winchester (Winchester Express)    
.50/110 Winchester (Winchester Express)    
.50-110 2.4 inch    
.50-115 Bullard    
.50-140 Sharps    
.50-.48 Meigs    
.50-.58 Morse, Sleeved    
.500 – 1 1/2 inch    
.500 – 2 1/4 inch    
.500 – 2 1/2 inch    
.500 – 3 inch    
.500 – 3 1/4 inch    
.500/.450 No.1 Express, 2 3/4 inch    
.500/.450 Webley Carbine, 1 11/16 inch    
.500/.450 – 2 1/2 inch    
.500/.450 – 3 3/8 inch    
.500/.450 – 3 1/2 inch    
.52-70 Sharps    
.54 Morse    
.55 Gatling    
.55 Morse    
.55-100 Maynard    
.56-56 US, Experimental    
.577 Daw’s Patent 1867    
.577 Selwyn 1865    
.577 Snider    
.577 – 2 1/4 inch (Black Powder & Nitro Express)    
.577 – 2 1/2 inch (Black Powder & Nitro Express)    
.577 – 2 3/4 inch (Black Powder & Nitro Express)    
.577 – 3 inch (Black Powder & Nitro Express)    
.577 – 3 1/4 inch (Black Powder & Nitro Express)    
.577/.450 Martini-Henry    
.577/.500 Magnum Express    
.577/.500 No.2 Express    
.58 Morse    
.58 Remington Carbine    
.58 Roberts    
.58 Tibbals-Roberts 1869    
.58 (Short case) US Converted Musket, 1865    
.58 Berdan System, Conversion of US muzzle-loading rifles    
.60 Jingal Rifle, Chinese    
.65 Gatling    
.69 Morse    
.75 Jingal Rifle, Chinese    
.75 Gatling    
.80 Gatling    
1 inch Nordenfeldt-Palmcranz    
20 bore/.577 Alexander Henry.    

Recently Banned Calibres

The list above is the current permitted list of calibres specifically exempted from firearms legislation, as found here.

If a calibre doesn't appear on this list, it is subject to licensing requirements. There are a number of antique centrefire calibres that have been removed from any previous obsolete calibre list as of March 2021, this includes previously popular calibres such as .41 Colt and .44 Russian. To view the full list of calibres removed, click here to the Home Office publication.

What to do if you have an antique gun not specifically exempted

Fortunately, there is a grace period until September 21st 2021 for any owners to dispose of their now licenced guns. You can do it any number of ways, such as putting the gun on your firearms licence as a curiosity not to be fired, having it deactivated, or selling it or transferring it in some other way. You only have until September to do this, so make sure you read the Home Office guidance here and decide now.

Should you wish, we do offer a full deactivation service if you choose to retain your antique guns as deactivated. For more information, read our blog - How Do I Get My Firearm Deactivated?