Paragraph 2

Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a barrel to which this Schedule applies shall be exempt from liability to proof under the Act of 1868 so long as it continues to bear the mark, sign or character by virtue of which it was immediately before the passing of this Act exempt under section 132 of that Act from the provisions of that Act; and accordingly no offence shall be committed under that Act in respect of or by reference to any such barrel by virtue of the fact that it has not been proved under that Act or the M1Gun Barrel Proof Act 1855.

The Proof Masters of the Two Companies, acting jointly, may by notice published—

withdraw any exemption continuing under this Schedule by reference to any mark, sign or character described in the notice, either generally or in relation to any class or description of barrels bearing the mark, sign or character in question.

If a barrel of one sort which is exempt under this Schedule from liability to proof under the Act of 1868 by virtue of any work, sign or character impressed upon it is in the United Kingdom converted into a barrel of another sort, the barrel shall cease to be so exempt by virtue of that mark, sign or character from the time when the conversion is begun.

If a barrel which is exempt under this Schedule from liability to proof under the Act of 1868 by virtue of any mark, sign or character impressed upon it is in the United Kingdom, by any process of manufacture or by any other means except user and wear and tear, so reduced in substance or strength that the mark, sign or character does not represent the proof which the barrel would bear if it were then duly proved in the official Proof House of the State in question, the barrel shall thereupon cease to be so exempt by virtue of that mark, sign or character.