There are several individual interpretations of that point. Most go strictly by the date of manufacture. Technically though, the type of cartridge ignition may trump all other interpretations.





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I just now looked at a nice 1883 grade three hammer gun with two sets of barrels and the auction house wanted an FFL to deliver. No explanation of why, but I assumed they were being ultra-careful. It happens.

One of the ATF guys was in giving us an audit a couple years ago . And in his words “anything made before 1899 IS NOT A GUN” as far as the ATF’s concerned .