This heading covers revolvers and pistols, whatever the calibre, which are capable of discharging any missile (other than signal flares) by firing an explosive charge, and which are designed to be held in and fired from the hand.
Revolvers are single barrelled firearms incorporating a revolving cylinder. Pistols have one or more barrels. They may also have interchangeable barrels. Semi-automatic pistols have a magazine which can be loaded with several rounds of ammunition, but the trigger must be operated for each round fired. The heading also covers miniature pistols and revolvers; it also includes such weapons made in the form of other objects, for example, pencils, pocket knives or cigarette cases, provided they are, in fact, firearms. The heading excludes continuous fire weapons (i.e., those which use pistol ammunition and which, once pressure has been applied to the trigger, continue to fire until either the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger); these are classified in heading 93.01 as sub-machine-guns (machine-pistols). They may be capable of being fired from the hand, but usually have extended stocks. The heading also excludes :(a) Captive-bolt type humane killers, Very pistols for the discharge of signal flares, pistols or revolvers for the firing of blank cartridges (with solid or blocked barrels, or with tapered cylinders) for race-starting, theatrical property pistols, "black powder" muzzle-loading pistols neither designed for nor capable of firing a cartridge (heading 93.03). (b) Spring, air or gas pistols (heading 93.04).
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