Proofed Webley Mk.3

[Troubledshooter]

Further to a recent thread, this is a picture of my proof marked .22 Webley Mk.3, just to prove it does exist.

PROOF

Writing should read 'BV' + Crown on tap block, not 'BP'.

[Gareth W-B]

Further to a recent thread, this is a picture of my proof marked .22 Webley Mk.3, just to prove it does exist.

... Never doubted you for a moment , but its always nice to see a photo anyway . ATB: Gareth W-B.

[silva]

Hello Troubledshooter, Haven't seen the original thread but,

Interesting - I once saw a .177 Bsa Cadet with proof and view marks on it, stamped at the bottom of the barrel by the breech block.

Regards Morgan

[Garvin]

I didn't see the original thread either. Would it have been made for export to a country that insisted on proofing for all guns?

[peter65]

If my memory serves me well airguns destined for australia have to be proof marked.

[Troubledshooter]

When I bought the Mk.3, I was told it had come from New Zealand, but it was quite possibly exported to Australia originally.
I am trying to do get some research done at the Birmingham proof house, which will, hopefully, verify it's origins.

[Sam99]

I have a MK II Airsporter with proof marks on it . I have been told the reason for this is because when BSA exported these guns to Australia , the Aussies classed them as "toys" and slapped a toy tax on them , making them too expensive to sell. BSA ( probably Webley as well ) got around this by putting proof marks on them and therefore classing them as firearms and thus making them cheaper than "toys" to buy.
Truth or myth ? Don't know . You decide.

Nick

[master_shriller]

Could be true, all airguns are treated the same as firearms in Oz, you have to belong to a club and have a licence etc.

Does anyone have any further info on this, as a friend is going to live in Oz and wants to take some airguns with him.


Ben

[loach369]

Hi
taking firearms to Australia is 'no worries mate'
All you need is a form B709 which you can get from your State Police.
This will list the firearms by make, model calibre and serial number.
I took over two .45 pistols (1 x Colt 1 x Ithaca) one .458 BRNO ZKK602, one
.308 and a couple of shotguns.
You collect your weapons form the baggage carousel and go through the red channel.
Quite funny when I went through.
'What you got mate?' said the customs officer
'two pistols, two rifles and a couple of shotties' I replied
'let's have a look then'
' don't you want to go to a separate room?'
'Nah, here'll do'
The look on the other travellers in the arrivals hall was priceless as I got the guns out, showed they were empty and handed over the 709.
Top tip. Take the guns on a flight that goes via Bangkok or Tokyo. No additional paperwork required. Via Singapore/ Forget about it!

[Sam Vimes]

It's amazing what you can do with photoshop these days!

[Troubledshooter]

It's amazing what you can do with photoshop these days!

Que!!!

[Sam Vimes]

Que!!!

David,
forgive me, I was poking fun at the doubters, not you.

[Troubledshooter]

According to an ancient employee of the Birmingham Proof House, these proof marks were required, at some time, for the export of Air Rifles to Australia for the purpose of game shooting.
Unfortunately, any further information is buried deep in the archives, but the cradle used to hold actions being proofed, is still in existence.

[Gareth W-B]

Hi Dave, nothing really to do with the thread, but thats a WONDERFUL collection you have there . ATB:
Gareth W-B.

http://img115.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=venom8022tw.jpg