melting metal

[BrokenBiker]

I thought cannon under 2" were held on a S2 shotgun licence? For what it's worth I've got S1 shotgun on my FAC for avian quarry.

again only if it can chamber and fire readily available ammo. if it is for instance made to chamber a .22 blank, but only has a 4mm bore, it is not a firearm of any sorts. or atleast that is how my FEO explained it.

I applied for S1 shotgun, wanted a 7+1 for the corvids as they are quite a big problem. had a letter from land owner too but was refused as I was not part of a practical shotgun club and they felt 7+1 was excessive for my needs. they recommended a 4+1, which puts me in pretty much the same boat I am in with my current S2 auto

 

[Maker]

What type of licence would I need for the 8.5" bowling ball cannon this thread has inspired me to think about.

 

[Fergus]

again only if it can chamber and fire readily available ammo. if it is for instance made to chamber a .22 blank, but only has a 4mm bore, it is not a firearm of any sorts. or atleast that is how my FEO explained it.

I applied for S1 shotgun, wanted a 7+1 for the corvids as they are quite a big problem. had a letter from land owner too but was refused as I was not part of a practical shotgun club and they felt 7+1 was excessive for my needs. they recommended a 4+1, which puts me in pretty much the same boat I am in with my current S2 auto

This is the problem with the current system, open to interpretation. My understanding is that if you create a barrelled weapon it needs to go on ticket, hence why the potato launchers and spark ignition pringles cannon, despite lacking a recognisable chamber, can get you into trouble.

My ticket states 'high capacity shotgun', the police can't specify how many cartridges it can hold, it's more than 2+1 and that's it. I'd honestly suggest getting a slightly better informed opinion than you are getting from your licensing department, BASC could be a good start.

 

[BrokenBiker]

BASC don't respond to me anymore since I didn't renew my membership after not getting replies to my questions. I have been through the firearms act and as it will be smooth bore it is section 2 (like a 9mm garden gun) although the barrel is way lower than 24" so it could be sec5 but that would only count if it could chamber and fire an available round, which is when we get back to it being the same as an 1860 cap and ball revolver. if I were to put a bit of bar halfway down the bore so it crossed the bore making it impossible for a projectile to be fired from the chamber it is classed as a starters pistol and conforms with the VCR act

 

[Fergus]

Nightmare...

The perversity of the legislation actually seems to want you to build a bigger cannon, chambered for 12g black powder blanks to stay clearly legal and avoid the hassle of black powder licensing.

 

[BrokenBiker]

what they don't know cant hurt them. In all fairness when I actually get to a point where I can build it I will be seeking proper legal advice as I would quite like it to fire proper shot, even it it means loading 12 gauge into it, or splitting shells open and muzzle loading etc

 

[Jan]

What has happened in the black powder world since the 'new' legislation came in? I sold all my weapons just before it became mandatory, but would like to go back to having fun with a Colt 1860 Army again. Perhaps even something a little larger. Do you still only need a 'permit to acquire' black powder, or a licence to possess/store it? Are percussion caps classed as 'ammunition components' requiring some for of permit/licence in the way that Boxer and Berdan primers do?

 

[Bill Edwards]

DO NOT take the word of your firearms department/FEO as being worth anything on legal matters.
There are many cases where they clearly do not know the law or simply ignore it, and if you do something that is illegal then the excuse that 'my FEO said it was OK' will do you no good whatsoever.

I do not know what the rules are on small cannons as it is not an area that interests me, I don't know whether brokenbiker is right or not. But be careful, read the legislation for yourself before doing anything.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/pdfs/ukpga_19680027_en.pdf

The HO guidance is easier for some to digest and usually good enough for these things, and is what the police will usually work off:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012

Brokenbiker, the police cannot require a person to be a member of a club for a S1 shotgun that is to be used shooting vermin. An example of where they ignore the laws and do as they please instead.

 

[brightspark]

half the time they will bull..**** u because they dont want anyone to have fire arms /check the law and quote it when u get checked out politely and the attitude changes

 

[Jan]

half the time they will bull..**** u because they dont want anyone to have fire arms /check the law and quote it when u get checked out politely and the attitude changes

In my case you're preaching to the choir. In 'my day' the firearms and explosives officer for the whole of the South Yorkshire Constabulary (now called partnership) area was one "DC William (Will) Lander" who interpreted the rules/laws to suit himself. He denied an FAC variation on one person's certificate to add an identical .38 cal pistol for competition use. The logical argument was that, if a firearm failed, he would have an identical backup. Lander claimed that there was no reason for the variation despite the fact that he owned 3 identical single shot SLRs in .762 cal for precisely the same reason. In a later court case he claimed that he had no personal or professional knowledge or experience of Continental firearms laws even though he was an avid international competition shooter!

Coppers? I've sh@t 'em.

 

[Keith 66]

As Secretary of our local Wildfowling club for 12 years i have a bit of knowledge of firearms regs! I have also shot Muzzleloaders for years. A cannon with a smooth bore barrel less than 2" bore and more than 24" in length can be held on a Shotgun cerfificate. If it has a barrel length less than 24" its Section 1 or Firearms Cert. There is no difference under law between if its intended to fire blanks or projectiles.
Also & most importantly, for your own safety if you are using a Muzzleloading gun or Cannon, Never ever use anything other than Blackpowder or a recognised substitute such as Pyrodex.
Nitro propellants such as used in shotgun shells generate far more pressure & if used in a Muzzleloader are likely to cause the thing to burst.
A friend actually blew an antique brass signalling cannon to smithereens doing this at a public event. By some kind of miracle nobody was hurt.
To acquire blackpowder you need an explosives permit. Rather surprisingly these are still free issue unlike shotgun & Fac's that cost!