Have you seen those you tube videos of those metal detector enthuisasts digging in Belgium in the forests and there bringing up clean as “new” bullets & then there is the twisted and corroded weapons, plenty of helmets etc.

IIRC a couple of those detectorists went to jail a few months ago! Even putting aside the very strict rules on detecting they have in most European countries, being caught in possession of live military ordnance or even a single relic armour piercing bullet is, I believe, a serious and often custodial offence.

As for aircraft weapons – I am not going to go into detail, other than to say all such finds – even parts of such guns – are classed as section 5 weapons – carrying a 5 years custodial sentence I believe for unauthorised possession. Relic condition are treated just the same – yes the proof houses do now have the authority to declare a dug up weapon as deactivated due to its condition – but they never have done so yet to my knowledge and I was told flatly that they never would be prepared to do this, as the law is so badly termed, it could leave them wide open to future problems.

I used to have a good working relationship with our local police firearms inspection team and have reported ALL such finds I have made and had several weapons inspected and declared (in writing) as being outside the terms of the act due to there condition – Also have had several others deactivated on police advice – But now all the qualified inspectors have gone due to cuts and they simply have no expertise or interest in dealing with such matters now.

The attitude of many of the “diggers” I have seen on other forums who seem to think whatever they find is OK if it is incomplete or “rusted solid” is IMO treading on thin ice