1972 Press Photo Heathrow Airports Security Gold Gun Sets Off Alarms

Gold gun goes off at Airport check.: a shot from a £3,000 gold-plated Walther PPK rang o t at Heathrow Airport, it was revealed yesterday, and a ragged hole two inches across was blasted in the floor of No. 4 pier,The revolver, owned by Prince Kalifa Bin Ali Althnai, brother of the ruler of Qatar, was being unloaded by a Special Branch officer when the shot was fried accidentally. Seven other bullets were removed from the chamber before the gun was loaded into a BOAC plane's hold with other luggage for the Prince's flight to Beirut. The gun was discovered when the Prince, with a bodyguard and a political adviser, were checked by a metal detection device used in the fight against skyjacking. Photo shows additional security measures in operation at Heathrow yesterday after a revolver belonging to Prince Kalifa Bin Ali Althani, brother of the ruler of Qatar, went off as it was being unloaded.

Photo measures 10.25 x 8 inches.

Photo is dated 4-6-1972.

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