Small firearms
Hunting, sports and defence weapons
Testing requirement
Anyone who manufactures handguns and highly stressed parts of handguns in Austria, intends to place them on the market or acts in exchange for payment as an intermediary in their sale, is required to submit them to official proof-house testing.
Small firearms include long guns (shotguns and rifles), handguns (pistols and revolvers), firing devices, alarm weapons and blank-firing guns (Prangerstutzen (Alpine ceremonial salute guns) and salute cannons).
A handgun, or a highly stressed part thereof, that has already been tested, must be retested if it has undergone any of the following modifications or alterations:
- replacement of the highly stressed part of the handgun combined with fitting work
- installation of a sub-calibre barrel insert
- any change in the material strength
- any change in the wall thickness
- any change in the dimensions of the chamber or the barrel
- any defect affecting reliable functioning.
Proof testing
Proof testing comprises:
- checking the identifying markings;
- checking the functional reliability and carrying out a visual inspection;
- checking the dimensions;
- final proof firing; and
- an inspection following the final proof firing.
Proof marks
If the handgun testing reveals no defects, proof marks must be affixed clearly and visibly to the parts of the handgun that are subject to the greatest stress. In addition to the proof marks, the identifying markings specifying the month and year must be affixed to each handgun, each barrel individually presented for proof testing and, for revolvers, the frame.
Handguns and highly stressed parts thereof that are found to have a defect during testing, or that have clearly been damaged by the final proof firing, must be marked with the official rejection mark.
Proof marks for Austria (PDF, 24 KB) (in German)
Contact
Vienna Proof House: office-wien@beschussamt.gv.at