While my parents where going through some old stuff of theirs, they came across an old "starter pistol" my mother's uncle gave to her as a child. After careful examination, I now think its a very simple ball n' cap kit-gun deal. Do I have to do the whole "permit-to-purchase" deal for this, or is the whole permit thing just for newly purchased pistols fro a dealer? In any case, what should I do paper-wise for this pistol?

I do believe your parents can gift you a pistol without a permit to purchase.