Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Curio and Relic License: a Tool for Sportsman and Collectors
Guest blog by L.S. Graves.

The Curio and Relic License or C&R as it is often referred to, is a less expensive, alternative to the classic FFL license that all dealers must procure. This license enables the buyer to procure certain firearms (a list is provided at the batf.gov website) directly from the importer without the hassle of having to pay transfer fees to local shops that have the required permit. Some of the weapons available under this license include a few of my favorite weapons of all time. I’ll start off with possibly my most favorite weapon in this category. That being the Mosin Nagant series of rifles. Within this group you have the option of picking from the longer 91/37, or my personal favorite, the shorter carbine version, referred to as the M44. Both major Russian arsenals produced each of these variants throughout World War 2, as well as into the 1950′s. Care should be taken when deciding what if anything to do in the way of modernizing, or sporterizing a firearm of this type.

The Curio and Relic license covers only those firearms deemed by the ATF as historically significant, or if the weapon is more than fifty years old. I have, in my business seen clients bring in a really nice, war period Nagant, and want to sporterize said weapon for use as a hunting rifle. Now while the 7.62 x 54r cartridges used in this series is more than potent enough to knock down most game here in the lower 48, modifying a wartime rifle, could significantly decrease the value of the firearm. I have personally configured a 1953 Tula M44 into a super accurate hunting or target shooting arm, with very little effort or time, and turned a profit when I did unload the gun onto a customer. Several companies offer after-market accessories at reasonable prices, which can make a huge difference, in appearance at least to the firearms appeal to certain customers.

A few of the other weapons that are of some interest at least to the casual collector, would be the Carcano rifle, this was Italy’s most common rifle during the war, and has the unpleasant distinction of being the weapon used to assassinate president John F Kennedy in Dallas. Mausers from all makers are fairly common place on this market as well. The yugo 24/47 for example is a sturdy 8mm rifle, that in the right hands, is every bit as deadly as any newer weapon on the market. Most, but not all of these weapons are really quite affordable, as is the license itself. Also to be had are the very interesting straight pull Steyr designs. Most of these surplus type weapons will also come with some type of accessory package. For instance most Mosin Nagant rifles will come with a sling, oiler can, and usually a spike style bayonet. Ammo for these rifles can usually be found without much difficulty, whether it be an online source, or a store like Gander Mountain or Cabelas.

Several pistols are also available with the C and R license. The Polish P64 9x18cal Makarov is a good example. While the 9×18 round is somewhat underpowered, these little semi-automatic pistols can be found for good prices, ammo is available, and if and when you do decide to modernize your pistol of choice, its operating system is comparable to most new designs, so you wouldn’t be in need of retraining. The 1897 Nagant revolver is also a neat option for pistols on the list. It is chambered for the 7.62 nagant cartridge. This particular revolver was designed for use with a suppressor. In order for that to function properly, the cylinder of the revolver moves forward, as the hammer is pulled to the cocked position. This creates the seal needed to direct the gasses forward through the baffle system, deadening the sound as the bullet exits the muzzle. Of course obtaining a suppressor for any fire arm is a completely different course of action, and much to tedious to get into here. Another pistol design that I am a fan of, is the Tokarev. It fires a 7.62 x 25 caliber round. It is somewhat similar in design to the famous Browning High power series of semi auto pistols, most will come with a cleaning kit, as well as a leather holster. The Tokarev employs a 7 round magazine, with a hold open at the exiting of the last round in the mag. I have owned several of these, and have found them to be very reliable and enjoyable pistols to own and fire.

There are many more fine pistols and rifles to be had, with the addition of this fairly easy to apply for and receive license. If you make frequent purchases, it could save you tons on transfer fees and shipping, and having an affordable, reliable, and historically significant tool for protection or sport is never a bad thing for anyone. Applying for and utilizing the C&R license is just one of the many ways that we as individuals can exercise our right to keep and bear arms, as well as teach the next generation about the way things used to be made, made to last, made to be appreciated long into their years.

Other blog by L.S. Graves: How to Become a Gunsmith.

You can also check the Curio and Relic ATF page.