First, the post up thread about felony is pure unadulterated---nonsense. The poster doesn't know what he is talking about. If some one got arrested and charged with a felony for shipping a rifle scope sold on Ebay there is a great deal more to the story- a lot more.
Here is the applicable Postal Regulations on Firearms.
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htmDefinitions http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm 431.3 Antique Firearm
An antique firearm (including one with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) is any firearm manufactured in or before 1898, or a replica of such a firearm, that meets either of the following conditions:
It is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
It uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available through commercial trade channels.
Mailability http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htmc. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted, as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.2.
International Mail http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c6_006.htmThe requirements and prohibitions that apply to the mailing of firearms in domestic mail, as stated in chapter 4 and DMM 601.11, also apply to international mail subject to any restrictions in the Individual Country Listings in the IMM. The mailer must obtain an export license for mailing the following firearms:
a. Nonautomatic and semiautomatic rifles, carbines, revolvers, and pistols (regardless of caliber), except those of .50 caliber or less manufactured before 1898.
b. Shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long.
c. All machine guns, submachine guns, machine pistols, and fully automatic rifles.
The Local Post office loves me...but there are some in Virginia who hate me.....