The
Canadian Criminal Code definition of an antique firearms, since
December 1, 1998, has very little to do with the dictionary definition
of an antique. For most types of firearms the critical thing is
whether or not the firearm was made prior to 1898. After the date
criteria is met the calibre of the firearm can still keep it from
being an antique under our regulations. If a gun meets the definition
of an antique, you do not need a firearms licence to possess or
acquire it, nor does the gun need to be registered. A paradox
in this is that if you have an antique that shoots cartridge ammunition,
you will need a Firearms Licence to buy the ammunition. If your
only firearm is an antique and you apply for a Possession Only
Licence, your application will be refused as antique firearms
are not subject to registration and licencing, forcing you to
get a PAL in order to buy ammunition.
The firearms listed below are antique firearms for the purposes
of the definition antique firearm in subsection 84(1) of the Criminal
Code. An antique used in the commission of some criminal offence
will count as a firearm for any weapons charges.
MUZZLE LOADING RIFLES & SHOTGUNS
1. A flintlock, wheel-lock or matchlock firearm, other than a
handgun, regardless of when it was manufactured.
2. Any long gun manufactured before 1898 that uses percussion
caps.
RIFLES
3. A rifle manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
4. A rifle manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
centre-fire cartridges greater than 8.3 mm or .323 calibre, with
the exception of a repeating firearm fed by a magazine.
SHOTGUNS
5. A shotgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
6. A shotgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
centre-fire cartridges, other than 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 or 410 gauge
cartridges.
HANDGUNS
7. A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
8. A handgun manufactured before 1898 
that
is capable of discharging centre-fire cartridges, other than a
handgun designed or adapted to discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long
Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32 Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester,
38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester,
44-40 Winchester, or 45 Colt cartridges.
9. A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is a muzzle loader.
Information courtesy of http://www.firearmstraining.ca/antiquegun.html
