CFA Antique & Collectible Firearm Eras 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law defines an 'antique firearm' as any firearm manufactured in or before 1898?
- National Firearms Act of 1934
- Gun Control Act of 1968 (Correct answer)
- Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986
- Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Correct answer: Gun Control Act of 1968
The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) established the 1898 cutoff date for classifying a firearm as a federally recognized antique.
Question 2: The 'Trapdoor Springfield' conversions of the 1870s were significant because they:
- Introduced the first semi-automatic action to US military service
- Converted muzzle-loading rifles to accept metallic cartridges (Correct answer)
- Were the first rifles to use smokeless powder
- Introduced the bolt-action design to American arsenals
Correct answer: Converted muzzle-loading rifles to accept metallic cartridges
The Trapdoor Springfield converted existing muzzle-loading Springfield muskets to breech-loading metallic cartridge rifles, bridging the percussion and cartridge eras.
Question 3: A flintlock pistol bearing 'Tower' proofmarks would most likely originate from:
- Colonial America
- France
- England (Correct answer)
- Prussia
Correct answer: England
The Tower of London served as England's principal royal armory, and 'Tower' proofmarks indicate British military or commercial proof testing at that facility.
Question 4: During the American Civil War era, what was the primary advantage of the Sharps rifle over standard issue muskets?
- It fired a larger caliber projectile
- It was a breech-loading design allowing faster reloading (Correct answer)
- It used a rotating magazine for sustained fire
- It incorporated a telescopic sight as standard equipment
Correct answer: It was a breech-loading design allowing faster reloading
The Sharps breech-loading action allowed soldiers to reload from a prone or covered position far faster than muzzle-loading muskets.
Question 5: Which firearm era is most closely associated with the development and widespread adoption of the percussion cap ignition system?
- Federal Period (1790–1812)
- Antebellum Period (1830–1860) (Correct answer)
- Reconstruction Era (1865–1880)
- Progressive Era (1890–1920)
Correct answer: Antebellum Period (1830–1860)
The percussion cap system, patented in the 1820s, saw widespread civilian and military adoption during the Antebellum period of the 1830s through 1850s.
Question 6: The term 'Kentucky Long Rifle' most accurately describes firearms produced primarily in which region?
- Kentucky
- Pennsylvania (Correct answer)
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Correct answer: Pennsylvania
Despite the popular name, these long rifles were predominantly crafted by German immigrant gunsmiths in Lancaster County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania.
Question 7: An appraiser examining an 1851 Colt Navy revolver should know that 'Navy' in the model name refers to:
- The caliber being used by the U.S. Navy
- A naval battle scene engraved on the cylinder (Correct answer)
- The gun being adopted as standard Navy sidearm
- The blue-black finish applied to naval specification guns
Correct answer: A naval battle scene engraved on the cylinder
The 1851 Colt Navy's cylinder features a scene depicting the 1843 Battle of Campeche between the Texas Navy and Mexican fleet.
CFA Antique & Collectible Firearm Eras 2
Which federal law defines an 'antique firearm' as any firearm manufactured in or before 1898?