Quick Answer
Antique firearms in the UK are not simply old guns. Since 22 March 2021, the exemption depends on the statutory definition introduced by the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021, including cartridge type, propulsion system and, in many cases, manufacture before 1 September 1939.
The key point for shooters and collectors is purpose. The exemption under section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 applies where an antique firearm is possessed, sold, transferred, purchased or acquired as a curiosity or ornament, not as a working sporting firearm.
Why does antique firearms law matter to UK certificate holders?
Antique firearms law matters because a mistake can turn a display item into an uncertificated firearm. UK firearms law is detailed, and age alone is not enough to make an item exempt from control.
Many responsible shooters come across older firearms through inheritance, club contacts, auctions or family collections. Some items are genuinely antique curiosities. Others may look historic but still require a firearms certificate, museum licence, Section 5 authority or specialist advice.
For a firearms certificate holder, the safest approach is to treat every unfamiliar firearm as controlled until you can show why it is not. That means identifying the calibre, chambering, action, proof marks, serial number, date evidence and intended purpose before making assumptions.
What changed under the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021?
The 2021 regulations gave antique firearms a statutory definition for Great Britain. GOV.UK explains that the changes came into effect on 22 March 2021 and amended section 58 of the Firearms Act 1968 through the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
The Home Office circular is worth reading if you own or are considering buying a historic firearm: GOV.UK Circular 001/2021 on antique firearms.
Before 2021, the practical test relied heavily on Home Office guidance and established understanding. The current position is more formal. A firearm can qualify by specified propulsion system or by being chambered for a specified obsolete cartridge, subject to conditions.
The regulations also specify a date of manufacture condition. The legislation states that, for the relevant date condition, the firearm must have been manufactured before 1 September 1939.
How does section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 work?
Section 58(2) is the antique firearm exemption. It exempts qualifying antique firearms from many controls when they are possessed, purchased, acquired, sold or transferred as curiosities or ornaments.
That wording is important. A rifle or pistol held for collection, display or historic interest is a different proposition from one kept for shooting. If the purpose changes, the legal position may change too.
The exemption does not mean casual handling, casual transport or casual sale is sensible. It means the item may sit outside normal certification only if all conditions are met. Where there is doubt, police firearms licensing or a suitably qualified specialist should be consulted.
What types of antique firearms may qualify?
A firearm may qualify if it uses a specified antique propulsion system or is chambered for a specified cartridge listed in the regulations. Examples include muzzle-loading systems using a loose charge and separate ball, some non rim-fire and non centre-fire ignition systems, and certain obsolete cartridges.
The Antique Firearms Regulations 2021 list the details. The schedule is technical and should be checked against the exact chambering of the firearm, not a rough description from a sales advert.
Some rim-fire cartridges are specifically excluded from the propulsion system route, including .22, .23, 6mm and 9mm rim-fire cartridges. That is a common area where assumptions can be risky.
What is Section 7 and how is it different?
Section 7 is often mentioned in conversations about historic firearms, especially historic pistols, but it is not the same thing as the antique exemption. Section 7 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 created limited arrangements for certain historic firearms.
In simple terms, antique exemption is about qualifying antique firearms possessed as curiosities or ornaments. Section 7 routes are about particular historic firearms that remain controlled but may be possessed under strict conditions.
Anyone dealing with historic handguns, rare collections or museum-type material should avoid informal advice. The exact status of the firearm, the place of storage, the purpose of possession and any authority required all need checking.
Can you shoot an antique firearm?
You should not assume that an antique firearm can be shot just because it can physically function. The section 58(2) exemption is tied to possession as a curiosity or ornament.
If you intend to fire the firearm, acquire ammunition, develop loads, take it to a range or use it in any sporting context, seek proper advice before doing anything. The act of using it may take the item outside the practical basis on which you believed it was exempt.
There are also safety issues. Old metallurgy, unknown pressure history, missing proof information, obsolete ammunition and previous repairs can make firing a historic arm dangerous even if the legal position is clear.
What records should collectors keep?
Collectors should keep records that explain why the firearm is believed to qualify and how it came into their possession. Good records protect you, assist your family and make future sale or disposal more straightforward.
- Make, model, calibre and chambering
- Serial number and visible proof marks
- Photographs of the firearm and markings
- Purchase invoice, auction description or inheritance notes
- Any specialist opinion or police correspondence
- Where it is stored and when it is moved
- Disposal date and recipient details if sold or transferred
Vectis Shooting Log can help FAC holders keep structured notes alongside their wider shooting records. Even where a specific item is exempt, a clear digital audit trail is valuable.
How should antique firearms be stored?
Antique firearms should be stored securely, even when they are exempt. The law may not impose the same certificate condition as it does for an FAC firearm, but responsible ownership still requires care.
A locked cabinet, controlled access and sensible separation from ammunition are practical baseline steps. Households change over time, and heirs, visitors or tradespeople may not understand what an item is.
If the item is certificated, held under a specific authority or stored as part of a wider firearms collection, follow the police-approved security arrangements for that certificate or authority.
What should you do before buying or inheriting one?
Before buying or accepting an antique firearm, identify it properly and write down the basis for any exemption. Do not rely only on phrases such as wall hanger, obsolete calibre or pre-war.
Ask for photographs, calibre information and provenance before money changes hands. If the firearm is being inherited, avoid moving it unnecessarily until its status is understood.
If there is any doubt, contact your local firearms licensing department and keep a record of what you asked and what you were told. That paper trail may matter later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are antique firearms legal to own in the UK?
Antique firearms can be lawful to own if they meet the statutory antique definition and are possessed as a curiosity or ornament. If an item does not qualify, it may require a firearms certificate or other authority.
What changed for antique firearms in 2021?
The Antique Firearms Regulations 2021 introduced a statutory definition from 22 March 2021. The rules specify qualifying propulsion systems, obsolete cartridges and a pre-1 September 1939 manufacture requirement where relevant.
Does every old gun count as an antique firearm?
An old gun does not automatically count as an antique firearm. The chambering, propulsion system, date of manufacture and purpose of possession all matter.
Can an antique firearm be fired?
The antique exemption is for firearms possessed as a curiosity or ornament. If you intend to fire a firearm or acquire ammunition, check the legal position first.
What is Section 7 in UK firearms law?
Section 7 is commonly discussed around historic handguns and collections, but it is separate from the antique firearm exemption. It applies only in specific circumstances and should be checked carefully.
Do antique firearms need to be stored in a gun cabinet?
Exempt antique firearms are not treated in the same way as certificated firearms, but secure storage is still good practice. Certificated firearms must follow their certificate security conditions.
Should I keep records for antique firearms?
Yes. Keep provenance, calibre details, serial numbers, photographs, purchase documents and any police correspondence so the basis of ownership is clear.
When should I ask the police about an antique firearm?
Ask your firearms licensing department if the calibre, chambering, provenance or intended use is unclear. Clarify the position before buying, selling, moving or using the firearm.