Two gun enthusiasts were today starting jail sentences after one sold the other a US Army pistol.

Brian Teesdale and Martin Wells were described by a judge as “gentlemen advancing in years with a long and legitimate interest in firearms”.

But he said the message must go out that firearms illegally kept by private individuals could get into the wrong hands.

Teesdale, 55, of Park Mount Avenue, Baildon, was jailed for three years for possessing a prohibited US Army Colt .45 and ammunition on November 1 last year.

His life-long friend, Martin Wells, 56, of Silverdale Close, Guiseley, was locked up for 18 months for selling Teesdale the gun nine years ago.

Prosecutor David McGonigal told Bradford Crown Court that police found the weapon in the understairs cupboard at Teesdale’s home.

The ammunition was upstairs and officers also found a holster, manual and gun oil.

Teesdale said he bought the pistol from Wells about nine years earlier for about £650.

He was too scared to hand it in at a police station but would have done so if there had been a weapons amnesty.

Giles Bridge, Teesdale’s barrister, said he panicked when the police arrived at his home but was then totally frank with them.

Teesdale was highly thought of by his employers and prison would have a great effect on both him and his family.

Richard Gioserano, for Wells, said he had worked at the same engineering company for 32 years.

He bought the gun at an international arms fair in London. The Dutchman who sold it to him told him it was not an illegal weapon.

When he realised it was, and that a minimum five-year jail sentence was now in place for possessing it, he sold it to Teesdale.

Mr Gioserano said Wells had held a shotgun licence for 30 years and had kept the pistol in a secure cabinet. He never had ammunition for it.

He was interested in firearms and saw the gun as “a piece of history”.

Judge Jonathan Rose said firearms were readily available in the country and posed a risk to police officers and security guards.

Wells was interested in the pistol as a historical artefact but it was a working firearm and he should not have bought it.

He sold it to his good friend to try to get his money back, exposing him to risk from the law.

Teesdale bought ammunition and kept neither gun nor bullets secure.

The judge said both men were middle-aged and of positive good character.

Both had pleaded guilty and he was able to reduce the five-year minimum prison term for exceptional circumstances.