They look homemade.
They look homemade.
Master Debater
To me they appear genuine stampings.
Repariere nicht, was nicht kaputtist.
And plus the fact that forging a proof mark carries a hefty penalty. I could maybe understand if it was a repurposed.22 barrel, but being a .177 I’m somewhat confused. I have niggling in the back of my mind proof marks on an air rifle have come up before…? (The 3 isn’t related to chamber length).
Repariere nicht, was nicht kaputtist.
Could it be the Barrel was a sort of generic thing that was tested before being made to fit that Rifle?
I'll have to drag out my 25 in a bit for a look although shes a German so probably different.
You'll Shoot your eye out Kid
Having proof marks makes it a defacto firearm part. Get a file to it tootly sweet!
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On rare occasions I have seen airguns with English proof marks. I suspect it was done for airguns due to be exported to certain overseas markets that required a proof mark on imports. I have heard it said before that a proof mark makes an item a “firearm” requiring a licence but I would like to see the law or decided case that backs that assertion. For instance, if a bored proofmaster stamped a metal ashtray one day, it does not make it a licensable firearm.
I had a pedersoli liege black powder pistol here n France, the trigger mech broke. I checked with the UK importer and they said the only part that required an FAC was the barrel. I brought the rest back with me to the UK to fix and order the broken part. It was confiscated and I was charged with having components of a section one firearm.
I was a trade member of BASC and they were going to fight this ridiculous charge tooth and claw!
Until they found out that the UK importer who had told me in writing that this part didn’t need an FAC were a much bigger and much more important member. They dropped me like a stone!
The case was proof marked for black powder, this in the eyes of the law made it a firearm component and I got a £215 fine.
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That was a component part of a small arm. The proof acts require that component parts of a small arm are proofed if they are to be sold, traded etc. I would contend that it was not the proof mark that meant your component fell under Section One, it was that it was part of a small arm. People can argue this but I have seen proof marks on a number of items that are in regular use and are not small arm components therefore they get traded freely and do not require a certificate. The proofed airguns I have seen are examples but there are other items I have also seen with proof marks (source: Notes On The Proof If Shotguns And Other Small Arms published by the Proof Houses). The owner of this airgun should not deface it (possibly an offence itself) but should seek advice from BASC or legal counsel specialising in firearms, if he is worried about owning it.
It's a .177 barrel... has anyone EVER made a .177 firearm?
I've never heard of one...
Even if they had it would be an obsolete calibre.
I wouldn't be concerned at all and certainly wouldn't deface it - especially as there are other examples of airguns (usually returning exports?) with proof marks.
What about an enquiry to Birmingham proof House... surely they would know?
Last edited by harvey_s; 10-03-2024 at 09:15 AM.
I know a 25 definately wouldn't be taken as one as they are smaller and only are supposed to be around 4ftlb (mines not worked since I got it so can't confirm what it does), only guess might be if there was something done for troop training or similar or if that barrel would be bored out to something like .22 for something, but it is a UK market rifle so surely it wouldn't have been sold new if it was going to flag as a FAC rifle as again it's not powerful so you wouldn't use it for much more than targets.
You'll Shoot your eye out Kid
Yes, there are .177 firearms. No, they're not obsolete calibres.
There is the currently very popular .17HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire), often used for rabbit and fox control.
Also, a friend of mine uses .17 Remington Fireball, which has a 20grain polymer tipped projectile flying along at about 3,750fps, from a necked-down and shortened 5.6mm standard military case - potent and nasty little b*ggers they are!
Best regards, Clogger