A man found with an old revolver which didn't work should have said he was on his way to the Antiques Roadshow.
Instead Peter Clark - who simply said he found the defunct shooter in a bin - is now on his way to serving five years' jail.
Police found the six-shooter along with other weapons in a car in which Clark was travelling.
Bristol Crown Court heard the 19th century firearm - which takes obsolete ammunition - had a hammer which didn't cock and a flattened firing pin and had not been shot for some time.
Clark, 54, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm on January 19.
He also admitted obstructing police by giving them a false name.
Judge Martin Picton jailed him for five years.
He told Clark: "The minimum term of five years applies because that's what parliament intended."
The firearm recovered was forfeited.
Julian Howells, prosecuting, said police on duty in Henbury stopped an Astra car containing Clark and three others.
The court heard they found Clark with a green carrier bag containing the revolver and he identified himself with his brother's name.
Police recovered a knife, small fruit knife and a machete from the car.
The revolver was examined and found to be a late 19th century weapon with a four-and-a-half-inch barrel which was not in working order.
Clark told police he found the gun in a bin opposite the Co-op in Station Road, Henbury, and thought it didn't look real.
The court heard he had previous prison sentences for causing death by reckless driving and possessing a firearm.
Curtis Myrie, defending, said: "It was an antique firearm.
"It was not in working order.
"It requires ammunition which is obsolete and it has not been used for some time.
"It is not a firearm which could have been fired and used by Mr Clark."
Mr Myrie said his client had an unsettled background and had used Class A drugs since the age of 13.
He said Clark was engaging with support services to address drug misuse.
