The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Many of the British and European proofhouses incorporate a date code into their proof marks. Having too much time on my hands I thought I would check the age of a couple of pre owned Italian guns of mine.
I then looked at my Marlin expecting it as an American import it would have UK proof marks. I was surprised to see it had German proof marks, Mellrichstadt in Bavaria to be exact. So it appears it was first imported into Germany before being exported here just after the pistol ban.

I have a few books on Proof marks and dip into them from time to time, always interesting. Your Marlin was almost certainly Proofed in Germany for contractual as much as import reasons, that plus Germany were probably quicker and cheaper than the UK.

I came across an interesting proof mark the other day, it was Lieges yet I know the item was one of a few hundred produced here in the UK last year and in theory it is illegal to ship a pressure bearing item outside of the UK without a valid Proof mark. I assume such legislation was probably avoided because the item was sent out of the country purely to be Proofed as opposed to a permanent export. I did ask why it sported such a mark and was told it was cheaper and quicker to ship them out and back than use the local houses.

I had one of my guns proofed last week - £87!

As there are only two proof houses in the UK and from what I've been told anecdotally about the chances of someone being authorised to set another one up being somewhat as likely as platting fog, is this not a case for the monopolies commission?

More and more UK import firearms are bearing foreign proof marks because of the arrogance and contempt that the British proof houses treat their customers with.

Why on earth you should have to pay someone to try and break your gun for you before you sell it is beyond me.

Proof guarantees nothing in respect of the safety of the firearm.

IsleShoot wrote:I had one of my guns proofed last week - £87!

As there are only two proof houses in the UK and from what I've been told anecdotally about the chances of someone being authorised to set another one up being somewhat as likely as platting fog, is this not a case for the monopolies commission?

You have a choice between two different houses Surely that's not a monopoly?

Joking, of course. The whole proof house system is ridiculous.

It is definitely a cabal.

Don't forget that you only need to proof the gun if you are selling it.

Rockhopper wrote:Don't forget that you only need to proof the gun if you are selling it.

I agree 100% however it is no according to the Proof houses who told me I would need to submit a rifle for proof within 7 days of importing it from a country who do not have Proof houses.

I have shot rifles without Proof in the past including a prototype 12,7x99 however it is worth considering personal insurance if you are club shooting such a firearm.

Absolutely right.

Following the proof house logic all cars should be driven into a wall at 30 mph to ensure they are safe before they are sold.