Birmingham Proof House facts for kids
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| Government-owned | |
| Industry | Firearms |
| Founded | 1813, by act of Parliament |
| Headquarters | 52°28′49.69″N 1°53′4.65″W / 52.4804694°N 1.8846250°W,
Banbury Street, Birmingham
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| Services | Proving and certification of firearms and ammunition, quality testing |
| Footnotes / references The house itself is now a grade II* listed museum |
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The Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House is a special place in Banbury Street, Birmingham, UK. It's where firearms (like guns) are tested to make sure they are safe. The building was designed by John Horton. It has a cool main section with decorations by William Hollins. A fancy gateway, built in a style called Jacobean, was added in 1883. This building is very important, so it's listed as a grade II* listed building.
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What is the Proof House?
The Proof House was started in 1813. It was created by a special law called an act of Parliament. The gun makers in Birmingham asked for it and paid for it. They wanted a place to test guns and make sure they were good quality.
Why Guns Need Testing
The main job of the Proof House was to check gun barrels. They made sure the barrels would not explode when fired. This testing became a rule in 1868. It became against the law to sell or give away a gun that had not been tested. There were some exceptions for military groups.
How Guns Are Tested
The testing process is called "proving" a gun. A special, very strong cartridge is used. This is called a proof load. It is much more powerful than a normal bullet.
The Testing Chamber
The gun is fired in a strong, armored room. This makes sure the gun is exposed to very high pressure. If the gun survives without breaking or getting damaged, it gets a special stamp. This stamp is called a proof mark. It shows the gun is safe.
When a Gun Needs Retesting
Sometimes, a gun might get damaged or changed a lot. If this happens, its proof mark is no longer valid. The gun is then called "out of proof." It must be tested again before it can be sold or given to someone else.
Rules and Penalties
There are serious rules about gun proofing. If someone sells a gun that hasn't been tested, they can be fined a lot of money. The fine can be £5,000, or even more if many guns are involved. It is even more serious to change or fake a proof mark.
The Proof House Today
The Proof House is still open today. It does the same important job of testing guns. It also offers more services now. These include testing ammunition and looking into gun accidents. The building has a museum inside. It shows old guns and ammunition. You can visit the museum if you arrange it beforehand.
See also
- Birmingham Gun Quarter
- Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
