DETECTIVES APPEAL FOR INFORMATION ON NAIRN BANKER MURDER WEAPON
THE officer leading the investigation into the murder of Nairn father-of-two Alistair Wilson has revealed for the first time details of the weapon used in the shooting.
DCI Peter MacPhee is appealing for help from anyone who may at some time had this type of semi-automatic handgun in their possession or indeed anyone who may have any information about such a weapon.
The gun itself is just four and a half inches long and weighs just under 400g. This type of weapon is commonly referred to as a pocket gun, waistcoat or ladies gun because of its size. It has a magazine capable of holding six rounds.
The gun was produced between 1922 and 1930 by a company called CG Haenel Waffen of Suhl in Germany, but was designed and patented by Hugo Schmeisser, who name was later associated with a famous sub-machine gun.
In 1945 the factory was taken over by the Russians and Schmeisser was taken back to Russia, never to be heard of again. The ammunition used was a .25 calibre bullet, only manufactured by Sellier and Bellot of Vlasim in the Czech Republic.
There were around 40,000 of the weapon made and it has a serial number but there are no records of it ever having been registered in this country. DCI MacPhee also says he has no information that the weapon has been used in any other criminal activities.
He said: "I am interested to speak to anyone who has had a gun like this in the past, including those who may have taken one back from the Second World War as a war trophy. It may also be the case that someone has passed one of these weapons on or has had one stolen. We would like to speak to all these people."
These types of weapon have been illegal in this country since 1997 and only Police forces and forensic laboratories are known to import the ammunition used by these guns.
DCI MacPhee also said that these weapons are generally not accurate.
He said: "Because of the small calibre you have to be fairly close to the target. And because of the short barrel this type of gun is notoriously inaccurate.
"When began inquiries into this offence this was the type of weapon our ballistics expert advised us was probably used."
DCI MacPhee also said that these weapons are known to be available on the black market in some European countries.
The gun was found down a drain in Nairn's Seabank Road by workmen, just days after the banker was shot dead on his doorstep in the town's Crescent Road on November 28 last year.
DCI MacPhee will make a second appearance on BBC's Crimewatch programme tomorrow night (13th April 2005) to make an appeal for information on the weapon (a gun identical to the one used in the murder is pictured below as is a picture of the type of ammunition used).
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northern Constabulary on 01463 715555 or alternatively Crimestoppers 24-7 on 0800 555111.