THE sale of a gun to an under-age boy was one of the court cases reported in the Malvern Gazette 100 years ago this week.

Ironmonger Arthur A Trigg, of St Ann's Road, was summoned before magistrates under the Pistols Act of 1903 for selling a revolver to someone under 18.

He was also charged with failing to keep a register, as required under the same act.

"Defendant said he was under the impression the age limit was sixteen," reported the paper.

"He pleaded guilty to the second charge, saying he did not know it was necessary to keep a register.

"Sgt Williams said about the 19th of October he spoke to a man with reference to a revolver his son was using. He then called on Mr Trigg, who said he was sorry."

The ironmonger was fined £1 with 10 shillings costs for each case. The pistol was confiscated.

Columnist Ariel noted it was the first case locally under the 1903 act.

"Major Hill (the presiding magistrate) took a serious view of the case and seemed to be very emphatic on the question of destroying the pistol.

"Indeed it was rather amusing to see one who has been accustomed to firearms for the greater part of his life assume a kind of dread of them and insist so vehemently that the pistol should be broken to pieces, but when the beautifully-plated article was handed up to him, it looked as if he was relenting, and he handled the weapon lovingly before he gave it to the Superintendent of Police."