doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Clarke 20 Bore - Proof House Report

Tony,
I am sure that you have the ability to sleeve guns yourself.
Plus it will be another string to your bow. Please do not de-activate this little beauty.

Guess I could try its just how I allocate my time ;(

What a strange place Britain has become. All these silly laws that interfere with perfectly law abiding people. And politicians that advocate even sillier laws without any adverse reaction from the public. And shooting organizations that accept so called "sensible restrictions" because they see no alternative. A lovely place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.
nial

Thinking of sleeving? PM me .

I got to thinking a bit more about this. Technically the gun may not be deemed as 'out of proof' as the law requires that it cannot accept a plug guage above a certain size. Maybe the Proof Laws do not apply in this instance. As long as the purchaser is aware that the gun is damaged or deffective then there is no deception on your part. Of course there is always the way around it by just selling the stock, action and forend and then giving the barrels to the puchaser but for self protection have a paper signed to the effect that all except the barrels were sold. Guns out of proof can be given, they just can't be sold or offered for sale.

Nial, these laws were brought in by the Gunmakers themselves by lobbying Parliament. It is there to protect the Gunmaker and the consumer. The good thing about it is that we can send a gun in to be tested to be fairly certain that it is safe; not in this case but such failures after proof are extremely rare, rather than rely on the word of someone visually examining the gun and giving their opinion it is safe. We have the same system of Hall Marking gold and silver to be assured that it is of the right quality in order to protect the purchaser. You will find that the Proof Laws are very much supported here by shooters. Lagopus.....

i hope you try and salvage that little beauty. bob

Lagopus, let's cut to the chase. Can I wrap the barrels in one parcel and the rest in another and send them separately under registered UPS or Fedex without recourse? For free. I'm not selling it I'm giving it.

Cheers
T

I understand that Proof Regulation only relate to sale or the offer for sale. It may be wise to check with the Proof House first for their advice. This is how I interpret it so it might need expert clarification. Reading the Act it says: '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'. Giving it away is not mentioned. Reading further I may be wrong about its current proof status as it says: '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 weakened in other respect'. I think the key words here are 'materially weakened' and how that can be interpreted.

As I say, it is best to check with the Proof House on this one. You will certainly not be allowed to Export it according to the above even as a gift. Remember it will still be classified as a firearm and subject to the rules and regulations as regards shotguns.

I will p.m. you with my home phone number as I have another thing to ask you about your auction experiences. Lagopus.....

A gun can be "out of proof" for reasons other than bore size or chamber length.A gun with a split in the barrel or a cracked action is deemed out of proof . It is Illegal to export a gun form the UK that is out of proof no matter how many parts you send it in. It is illegal to export a gun with out export papers.To sell it as a stock, action and forend is Ok if you want to include the barrels in that, then they must have a section cut out of them at 9 inches.
That's it. No way round it and now as many people know of the problem with the gun it would be most unwise to try.
Your choices are to either deactivate it , scrap it/put it in auction as stock action and forend ,or sleeve it .

PS as a matter of future info you can only send guns abroad by air freight . You will find all UK based carriers [UPS TNT FED_EX ,etal} will not carry guns internationaly.