Quote Originally Posted by Diehard View Post
I won't say I'm a expert re: the legislation but me saying it's broken and hence I wouldn't recommend firing it should be a decent defence? I've got a 44 I bought from a dealer knackered a couple of years back to repair with no quarms? Could be wrong but least nothing under false pretences.
Doesn't look like it.....

The Proof Acts lay down that no small arm may be sold, exchanged or exported, exposed or kept for sale or exchange or pawned unless and until it has been fully proved and duly marked. The Maximum penalty is £5000 for each offence, but with provision for higher penalties where, for instance, the sale of a number of guns constitutes one offence. Alteration to or the forging of proof marks is a more serious offence.

Arms previously proved and bearing apparently valid proof marks are deemed unproved if the barrels have been enlarged in the bore beyond certain defined limits or if the barrel or action has been materially weakend in other respects.

The offence in dealing in unproved arms is committed by the seller, not by an unwitting purchaser.