Written by Logan Metesh, High Caliber History, LLC, GunBroker Contributor

If you’ve spent some time cruising listings on GunBroker, you’ve undoubtedly come across a title or description that says “C&R Eligible” or “Curio & Relic,” and perhaps you’ve wondered what, exactly, that means.

What does C&R Guns Mean?

In terms of the law, there are three main categories of firearms by age: antique, curio & relic, and modern. The legal distinction that comes with these categories all comes down to the age of the guns, with a few exceptions.

Antique guns are anything made before 1899, or with an antiquated ignition system, such as flintlock or percussion. In this instance, a newly-made muzzleloading percussion rifle is legally considered an antique because of the ignition system and not a modern gun because of its age.

C&R Eligible 

Curio & relic guns are anything made from 1899 up until 50 years from the current year. So, right now, that means guns made between 1899 and 1974. Next year, it will be 1899 and 1975, etc. C&R guns can be sold and/or transferred by a special FFL license available to collectors. The number of C&R guns grows each year as the rolling date list continues.

Modern guns are anything less than 50 years old, so right now that’s 1975 to 2024. Next year it will be 1976 to 2025, etc. They are required to be bought, sold, and/or transferred only by a regular FFL holder.

The vast majority of C&R guns gain that classification because of their age, but there are two other ways that guns can be classified as being C&R without meeting the age requirement. They are: 1) Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and 2) Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.

There’s an entire list of guns maintained by the ATF that lists C&R guns that don’t fall under the age category. The vast majority of them are commemorative guns, special edition runs, etc. Some are even listed by their exact serial number. For example, there are some individual Winchester Model 94 carbines with a factory barrel length of less than 16” that would otherwise be classified as an SBR but have been exempted on a case-by-case basis.

Being listed as C&R under these other two classifications requires a lot of extra time and effort and, frankly, isn’t worth it in the end. For most people, it makes much more sense to just pay the transfer fee associated with a modern firearm or to literally wait it out for it to meet the age requirement.

Benefit of C&R Guns

The biggest benefit of C&R guns is the Type 03 Curio & Relic FFL, which is aimed at collectors. This special FFL allows C&R-eligible guns to be sent directly to the holder’s house without having to go through a regular FFL and pay transfer fees. Anyone can apply for a C&R license, but it has requirements and limitations that must be followed.

Another thing to be aware of with C&R rules and regulations is that certain makes and models can fall under all three categories – antique, C&R, and modern – and it requires due diligence to make sure you know how a specific gun is actually classified and how it can be bought and sold. For example, the Colt Single Action Army revolver has been around since 1873. The gun’s design is essentially unchanged over that 150-year period, but the age of the model doesn’t dictate the classification.

A Single Action Army revolver made on December 31, 1898, is legally considered an antique, and it is not bound by federal gun laws. Anyone can buy or sell that gun without any federal paperwork and have it sent right to their house.

However, the same model gun made one day later on January 1, 1899, is legally considered C&R and must adhere to federal gun laws. If someone has a C&R FFL, that revolver from 1899 can be sent right to their house and logged into their firearms record. Without a C&R FFL, it must be handled like a modern firearm.

Now, a Single Action Army revolver made in 1974 is considered to be a C&R gun in 2024 just like the one made in 1899 – but one made in 1975 is considered a modern firearm. The 1974-dated gun can be bought and sold with a C&R FFL, but the 1975-dated gun must go through a regular FFL and have the transfers completed that way.

C&R FFL vs Regular FFL License

It’s important to understand that the C&R FFL cannot be used to buy or sell modern guns, nor can it be used to engage in the business of buying and selling C&R-eligible guns. If your intention is to make money with these guns – regardless of their age – then you need a regular FFL. Plus, you still have to maintain transaction records similar to those held by regular gun dealers.

C&R license

A C&R license is the only way around transfer fees and it only applies to guns that fall into that specific category. You cannot obtain a regular FFL just to sidestep transfers for your personal collection. You must be actively engaged in the firearms business to get that kind of FFL, and using one solely for personal gain of collecting is illegal.

C&R FFL – final notes

One final thing to take into consideration with a C&R FFL is that regular FFL holders (gun shops, etc) are not required to honor a C&R FFL. The ATF’s online system does not verify their status because they are not a commercial FFL, and some places don’t want to put themselves at risk of a C&R not being valid. Still, that’s a minor issue and most people will happily do business with a C&R holder because it makes the buying and selling process quicker and easier.

If your interests lie primarily with vintage guns that are at least 50 years old, then it may be beneficial for you to obtain a C&R FFL. The cost is $30 and it is valid for three years. If you buy at least one gun in that time for your collection, then you’ve paid for the license in terms of what you would have spent on one transfer fee. Anything after that is like getting a free transfer.

Tags: C&R Guns, Curio and relics, high caliber history