19T Proof Mark

[Brian Dick]

Charlie, Did your L42 have a red splotch of paint on the barrel to denote that one of the usually proofed components was a replacement? I had an L42 with a replacement bolt body that didn't have the 19T proof and it was so marked.

[Charlie]

Brian, no red paint, or traces of any.

[Beerhunter]

Correct me if I am wrong but my reading of the proof act of 1868 says that it is an offence to "sell, offer for sale, transfer, export or pawn an unproofed firearm, with certain exceptions for military organisations"

It does not appear to be an offence to "receive" an un-proofed firearm.

It would appear to me that the dealer would be guilty but the recipient innocent (until such time as they came to sell it)

It is not illegal to own an unproofed firearm and it can be 'gifted' (no money changes hands / no sale has taken place)

Correct, in terms of one has to move the firearm on. Indeed I have a perfectly legal unproofed rifle myself. (Acquired in Switzerland.)

I thought that I had implied that the current owner sells the rifle. My original post, for clarity, should really say: "As would anyone in the UK who currently holds one and sells it on."

[Alan de Enfield]

Correct, in terms of one has to move the firearm on. Indeed I have a perfectly legal unproofed rifle myself. (Acquired in Switzerland.)

I thought that I had implied that the current owner sells the rifle. My original post, for clarity, should really say: "As would anyone in the UK who currently holds one and sells it on."

Thanks - you were posting this as I was talking to the Birmingham proof house. They have confirmed as follows :

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.

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

[Beerhunter]

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

So, on that basis, I wonder how many (if any) people in the UK have Enforcers that only have Enfield Proof?

[Alan de Enfield]

So, on that basis, I wonder how many (if any) people in the UK have Enforcers that only have Enfield Proof?

Probably none that will admit to it and risk the £5000 fine when they sell it.

[Peter Laidler]

There will be hundreds of Enforcer, Envoy and presumably L39 owners whose rifles are only 19T military proofed

[newbieDAN]

Attachment 31933Attachment 31934Attachment 31935Attachment 31936

Do I get a fine?

[Beerhunter]

Do I get a fine?

Not even if you tried to sell you rifle in the UK. It has perfectly valid Gunmakers (London) Proof.