Legalities of importing relics?

o1s1n

Something I've always been interested in (and am always browsing ebay for) is interesting war relics.

Some of the more interesting items tend to be firearm and weapon parts.

Now, I know in Ireland we have laws surrounding deactivated firearms and component parts of firearms, but was just wondering if anyone knows if a relic piece is going to fall into the same category?

For example, I saw this recently. Didn't bid though as I had visions of customs seeing it and flipping out.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-ORIGINAL-German-LUGER-P08-PARABELLUM-RELIC-Kurland-/271098026021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1eb39825&nma=true&si=%2Bm52j7vycPfBHUNhvddg7IRX%2Bac%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Then you have something like this in far worse condition

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-ORIGINAL-German-MP-40-relic-/170959162208?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cdf5cb60&nma=true&si=%2Bm52j7vycPfBHUNhvddg7IRX%2Bac%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Now, both are obviously as good as useless with the amount of corrosion. But technically, they are components of firearms.

Does anyone here collect such relics? Is it possible in Ireland? Or is it all very dodgy and best avoided?

Dr Strange

Hi there,

yes, you are right, there are problems around collecting these here. I am not too sure about these parts, the best people to answer that question would be Sparks or Ezridax in the shooting forum. Some people will say if you can buy it freely here or on ebay there is no problem, same with deacts etc but the fact is that these fall under the fireamrs regulations and no matter if you were able to buy them here or somewhere only without a problem, if you have them without proper authorisation (depending on what you have either a firearms certificate or a letter of authorisation from your Super to own a certain deact) from your Superintendent you are actually holding a firearm illeagally and can be charged with that offence.

In any case I would always err on the side of caution in these cases. It is very restrictive for collectors, I agree but that's unfortunately the way it is and we have to play by it.

o1s1n

Thanks for the reply! That's along the lines of what I was thinking alright, best to err on the side of caution like you said. I may fire off Sparks a PM about it, be interested in hearing his opinion.

I know the 'component part of a firearm' thing can be applied pretty liberally even to include empty shell casings, so I'm sure it would cover the likes of these too.

On a side note, any idea if we have similar restrictions with bladed weapons? I've seen some really lovely bayonets too but am a bit hesitant to import them.

Dr Strange

I actually am not sure about bladed weapons. I mean, there are many army, cavalry, etc swords and officer's daggers as well as bayonets out there. You can find them on Irish antique auction sites as well. I believe that what actually falls under the legislation of illegale bladed weapons are samurai swords (modern/replicas - not an original old collector's item) and such like, as well as machete's etc. Personally, I wouldn't think that a WWII Mauser K98 bayonet would fall under that or similar but an AK47 bayonet may very well be regarded as illegal. Again, I am not exactly sure how they are interpreting this.

Here are some links which may be useful:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Firearms_and_Ammunition_FAQ

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1990/en/act/pub/0012/print.html#sec9

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1991/en/si/0066.html

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Offensive%20Weapons%20Order%202009.pdf/Files/Offensive%20Weapons%20Order%202009.pdf