Which of the following items are not classified as firearms?

The item classified in the correct option refers to firearms manufactured prior to 1899 using matchlock or similar ignition systems. This classification arises from historical legal distinctions that separate modern firearms from those that were made before a certain date, which in many jurisdictions is set at 1898 or 1899. Guns made before this cutoff are often considered antiques and may be subject to less stringent regulations compared to more modern firearms.

Items manufactured using modern ignition systems—such as self-loading rifles and shotguns—are definitely classified as firearms given their design and operational capabilities. The same applies to any weapon capable of firing projectiles, as this general definition encompasses various weapon types, including firearms. Thus, the correct understanding hinges on the historical context and the definitions established in firearm legislation, which exempts certain older types from being classified as firearms due to their antiquity and mechanisms.