ABSTRACT
In the U.K., the statutory proof testing of new £rearms is compulsory before they can be o¦ered for sale. “e Gunmakers’ Company of London was granted its Royal Charter by King Charles I in 1637 in an attempt to protect the public against the many unsound arms then being o¦ered for sale. “is practice was regarded both as a potential danger to the public and also something that indirectly brought discredit on the reputable gunmakers. “e proof house was run under the control of “e Worshipful Company of Gunmakers of the City of London. From 1670 the Gunmakers’ Company was enabled to enforce proof in and around London; the original proof marks are still in use today. Between the years 1804 and 1815, twice as many guns were being manufactured in Birmingham than in London, so it was only natural at this point that Birmingham gunmakers should want their own proof house. “is desire was achieved in 1813 when £nally the Birmingham Proof House was established for public security at the expense of the Birmingham Gun Trade by Act of Parliament. Marks previously used by the maker Ketland became the £rst proof marks of the new proof house. “e proof house was placed under the control of “e Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House. Since 1813 it has been an o¦ense to sell or o¦er for sale an unproved arm anywhere in the U.K. “e present law is to be found in Gun Barrel Proof Acts 1868, 1950, and 1978 and the various Rules of Proof, in particular those of 1925, 1954, 1986, 1989 when the metric system of measurement became mandatory, and 2006.
