The firearms amnesty held by Devon and Cornwall Police in November has been hailed a success, with a skip full of weapons collected and bins of ammunition filled, including a weapon said to have belonged to notorious murderer Dr Crippen, Belgian antique duelling pistols, and a pair Walther PPK handguns, made famous by James Bond.
Final results show that hundreds of guns and literally bins full of ammunition were handed in to police at participating stations throughout Devon and Cornwall.
In total 446 weapons were taken in, and 15,721 items of ammunition were collected to be passed on to the army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
Chief Inspector Daniel Evans said: “The response from the public with regards to the amnesty has been excellent. We have been successful in removing over 400 weapons and more than 15,000 items of ammunition from circulation, preventing them from getting into the wrong hands.
“Planning the amnesty required time and dedication. I would like to thank those involved for their professionalism and commitment to ensuring the operation was such a success.”
The vast majority of the firearms handed in have been destroyed by being cut into small and irreparable pieces which will be used for scrap metal.
Chief Inspector Evans continued: “As expected there were some unusual items handed in during the amnesty, including a blunderbuss, two grenades with pins removed and some antiques that are clearly of great financial value. Some of the weapons will be sent away for further examination to establish whether or not they have been used in the commission of criminal offences.”
The blunderbuss was a replica but had a vicious spring-loaded bayonet attached to the barrel. Other unusual items include a set of antique duelling pistols, a flare gun used in the trenches of World War 1 and a tiny pistol which the owner claimed to have been the possession of notorious Victorian era murderer Dr. Crippen.
Police remain unconvinced as to the veracity of this claim.
The full breakdown of surrendered firearms: BB guns – 8 Air pistols – 31 Air rifles – 60 Revolvers – 41 Self loading pistols – 20 Shotguns – 162 Rifles – 28 Stun guns – 1 Blank firing weapons – 28 Replica weapons – 9 Antique rifles – 11 Antique pistols – 20 Antique shotguns – 10 Other – 15.
The small revolver alleged to have belonged to the infamous Dr Crippen.
Chief Inspector Daniel Evans with antique duelling pistols, Firearms and Explosives Licensing Manager Michelle Mounsey with WW1 flare pistol, Armourer Mike Barker with replica blunderbuss.
The skip full of destroyed firerarms.
Familiar to fans of James Bond, his weapon of choice: a pair of Walther PPK 7.65mm pistols.
A pepperpot percussion revolver.
A flare gun that would have been used in the trenches during World War 1 to send men 'over the top'.
A brace of Belgian antique duelling pistols in case.
All of the unusual and interesting firearms which will be sent for further investigation.
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