What Is Nice Class 13?
Nice Class 13 is the trademark classification for firearms, ammunition, and explosives. It covers firearms of all kinds, ammunition and projectiles, explosives, and fireworks. It is a small, specialized class with a distinctive feature: its goods are among the most heavily regulated products in commerce, which adds a layer of compliance that few other classes carry.
One common misconception is that all "weapons" live in Class 13. They do not. Bladed weapons — knives, swords, and side arms — are in Class 8 as cutlery and hand implements. Class 13 is specifically for firearms, ammunition, and explosive or pyrotechnic goods. Getting that distinction right is the first step in filing correctly.
What Class 13 Covers
- Firearms: rifles, pistols, shotguns, and handguns
- Ammunition, cartridges, and projectiles
- Firearm parts and accessories (in applicable cases)
- Explosives and explosive preparations
- Fireworks and pyrotechnic articles
- Gun cases and firearm-specific holsters (in some cases)
Exclusions: bladed weapons are Class 8; toy guns and toy weapons are Class 28 as toys; fire-extinguishing compositions are Class 1; and branded apparel and accessories sold by a firearms brand fall in their own classes (25, 18, and so on). A firearms company's merchandise line is classified by the merchandise, not by Class 13.
Boundary note: A toy or replica gun is Class 28, not Class 13. Class 13 is for functional firearms and live ammunition. Toy and airsoft makers file in the toys class, which keeps their products clearly separated from regulated firearms in the register.
The Regulatory Overlay
Firearms and ammunition brands operate under a compliance regime far heavier than ordinary consumer goods. In the United States, the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) regulates manufacture, sale, and distribution, with federal licensing and strict rules. A USPTO trademark protects the brand name as intellectual property, but it is entirely separate from the regulatory approvals required to make and sell the products. The two systems are independent — a trademark does not authorize manufacture, and a federal firearms license does not grant brand rights.
For brand strategy, this means firearms companies should treat trademark clearance and registration as one workstream and regulatory compliance as another, parallel one. The trademark protects the name and logo that carry the brand's reputation across products and merchandise.
Pairing Class 13 With Other Classes
- Class 13 + Class 28: for brands that also sell sporting goods, shooting accessories, or range equipment. See our Class 28 guide.
- Class 13 + Class 25 / 18: for branded apparel, hats, and accessories.
- Class 13 + Class 35: for the retail and e-commerce side of the business.
Notable Brands in Class 13
- Smith & Wesson — one of the most recognizable firearms brand names
- Colt — a heritage firearms mark with deep historical recognition
- Remington and Winchester — firearms and ammunition brands
- Major fireworks and pyrotechnic brands — anchoring the explosives side of the class
Common Filing Mistakes
- Filing bladed weapons in Class 13: knives and swords are Class 8.
- Filing toy guns in Class 13: toy and replica weapons are Class 28.
- Filing merchandise in Class 13: branded apparel and accessories go in their own classes.
- Assuming a trademark covers compliance: regulatory approval is entirely separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are knives and bladed weapons in Class 13?
No. Knives, swords, and bladed side arms are in Class 8 as cutlery and hand implements. Class 13 is specifically for firearms, ammunition, explosives, and fireworks. A brand making both firearms and knives would file in both Class 13 and Class 8.
What class are toy or replica guns in?
Toy guns, replica firearms, and airsoft or cap guns are in Class 28 as toys, not Class 13. Class 13 is reserved for functional firearms and live ammunition. Keeping toys in Class 28 separates them clearly from regulated firearms in the register.
Do I need regulatory approval as well as a trademark?
Yes, and they are separate. A USPTO trademark protects your brand name as intellectual property, but firearms and ammunition are heavily regulated — in the US by the ATF — and require federal licensing to manufacture and sell. Trademark registration does not authorize manufacture, and a firearms license does not grant brand rights.
Are fireworks in Class 13?
Yes. Fireworks and pyrotechnic articles are in Class 13 alongside explosives, firearms, and ammunition. Like firearms, they carry a heavy regulatory overlay, so trademark clearance and registration run parallel to, but separate from, compliance requirements.
Search Class 13 Before You File
Firearms and ammunition branding is specialized and heavily enforced, and the regulatory track runs alongside trademark clearance. Use tmarkmetric to browse registered Class 13 trademarks, see which names are taken, and search the broader registry before you commit to a brand and merchandise line.