Terms of Sale
Firearms Mail-Order Legalities. Law-abiding adult citizens are eligible to purchase firearms through the mails. Federal law requires, however, that modern guns be shipped care of a local dealer for transfer to the purchaser. A modern gun is one built after 1898. Pre-1899 guns may be shipped directly to purchasers; they are not considered firearms under law. See the complete legal Definition of an Antique Firearm.
For us to ship a modern firearm, we must first receive a signed copy of a local gun dealer's Federal Firearms License (FFL). This document may be included with your check, snail-mailed by the license holder, emailed to morris@hallowellco.com or faxed to 406 222-4792. There are about 100,000 licensed dealers in the USA. Every gun store must have a license and will usually be happy to receive a gun for you either as a complimentary service or for a small fee. Most pawn shops are licensed firearms dealers as well. If you do not know a dealer, just look in the Yellow Pages under "Guns and Gunsmiths". When we receive your order, we will pack, insure and ship your purchase to your dealer. You may collect it there, completing the Federal form 4473, the instant check, if applicable, and any other paperwork required in your area.
A Federal C&R license will suffice for shipment of curios or relics directly to and for the license holder. Curios or Relics are defined as any firearm over 50 years old, or any specific make and model of gun judged by the BATF to be of collectible interest and appearing on their published list. See: www.atf.gov/curios-relics
Shipping. For all US orders for guns over $750, we cover the cost of shipping by insured US Registered Mail. US Registered Mail takes a little longer than a first class letter because it is locked up in special cages and signed for at each handoff along the way. And, a signature is required at delivery. Bearer bonds and cut diamonds are shipped by Registered Mail because it is the safest way of shipping anything. In the exceedingly remote possibility of a claim having to be filed for US Registered Mail, you must do your part, keep all packing materials and be willing to complete your share of the paperwork.
The charge for shipping of items under $750 is $30 for each handgun and $50 for each long gun.
Sales Tax. CT residents, please add applicable sales tax or provide a valid resale certificate. (Having been established originally in Connecticut, we remain a CT corporation.) There is no sales tax here in Montana. We do not collect sales tax for other states.
Payment. We ship immediately upon receipt of bank checks, money orders and wire transfers. We gladly accept personal and company checks, but we allow them a week to clear prior to shipment. Under our current banking system, checks deposited to the payee’s bank are normally presented to and cleared by the maker’s bank within about two days. But, if they fail to clear, more people become manually involved and everything takes longer. First, the check is returned to the payee’s bank by snail-mail. Then, normally also by snail-mail, the payee’s bank notifies the actual payee. So, while checks clear promptly, if they don’t, it takes about four times as long to find out about it. Hence our standard week for assured clearance. We are no longer set up for credit cards because for card-not-present transactions, they take around four percent of the total amount. We would rather you receive the full value of your investment in guns rather than lose a part to transaction costs.
If you tell us you would like to buy a particular gun, we will hold it for you a few days while your paperwork is in transit.
Returns. If you like the gun, keep it and use it safely and in good health. If you do not want it, for any reason at all, notify us and return it to us within three days of its arrival at your receiving dealer, in the same condition as sent. We will refund your money promptly and in full for guns returned within this period, in the same condition as sent. The three-day inspection privilege does not include the right either to fire or to disassemble the gun. If we have paid the shipping to you, we will absorb that cost. You should cover the cost of return shipping should you decide to ask for a refund. Shipping charges for items priced below $750 are not refundable.
Layaways. A 1/3 deposit will hold any gun for 60 days, without any fees or interest. We cannot, however, accept returns or cancellations on layaways.
Prior Sale. Due to the nature of the vintage gun business, each gun is effectively unique. As such, each is subject to prior sale. In the event of multiple inquiries regarding a single item, we first process emails in the order received; then we process telephone messages.
Trades. We are happy to consider trades towards anything we have for sale. While we try to specialize in high grade guns, we recognize that all guns are not 1930s Boss over & under 20 gauges in time-warp-new condition. We are, however, far more interested in collectible and sporting guns in fine condition at any price level than in old, worn, modified, abused firearms, regardless of their original level of quality. Although a preliminary communication and perhaps even some photos may save useless shipping back and forth, ultimately we will have to examine your trade before we can determine exactly what we can allow for it.
Exports. We are happy to export any of our guns. For this purpose we use an export broker. One such export agent is Cherry's (Click for more information). Or, we will use any other US licensed exporter of your choice. We will cover the cost of shipping to the export agent; his charges must be for your account.
Want List. We are happy to keep a record of your interests in case we should come across something you might like. Please let us know what you are looking for so we may notify you if it should become available. We will neither waste your time nor divulge your contact information. See our Privacy Statement.
Please contact us if you have any questions at all.
Hallowell & Co., Inc. PO Box 1445. Livingston, Montana 59047 USA
Tel: 406 222-4770 Email: morris@hallowellco.com
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 - 6. (Mountain Time)
Our inventory is constantly changing. Please bookmark this site and return often.
Contents © 1996 - 2023 Hallowell & Co., Inc.