There are two standards for evaluating firearm condition - modern and antique. Where is the line drawn?

I believe antique in terms of law is from 1898 and back.

However, that doesn't mean that in terms of fire arms you can't have a "antique" firearm like an "antique ww2-era pistol."

I believe that the term means that it was made with modern machines. If the same machine made your pistol 20 years ago, then it is by all means the same pistol that is given today. However, if your pistol/rifle/shotgun was made completely differently, then yeah, I believe you can call it an "antique" model. At least to me.

You can also say that mechanics of a gun might be "modernized." Like a 1911 from 1911 might be "modern pistol designs" by many. Yet a SAA might be "antique design" even though you might have bought a recently made Colt SAA.

I tend to go with the US Legal definition of an antique firearm:

""The term 'antique firearm' means -

(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and

(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica -

(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or

(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade." "

And go from there.

A more practical line is drawn at "a hundred years old or older".

But it really depends upon the evaluator.

One of the differences is that an antique is expected to show some time-caused discoloration, called patina, which is desirable in an antique, whereas a modern firearm should have all of its original finish intact for highest grading.

Hope this helps a little.

For BATF purposes - pre 1898 is the line.

For appraisals... I ask "is it in production anymore?" and "is it 50 years old?" In the case of Winchesters anybody who collects those will always ask "pre '64?"

To further muddle the BATF they have a whole other class of licences for Collectable and Relics... and those could be post 1898 firearms in some cases... they have a list of C&R eligible guns and some are fairly "modern" in function.

line is drawn by legal definition- gun made prior to 1899. your 1873 winchester qualifies.

Wow. Is it me, or is it weird that a "modern" firearm,by definition, can be something that's a hundred and fourteen years old?

Something about the workmanship crafted when these old guns were built, amazes me.