A Scots fisherman had the catch of the day last week when he discovered a WW2 rifle in an Edinburgh canal.
James Pearson was magnet fishing on Union Canal with two friends when he reeled in the semi-automatic M1 Garand assault weapon, according to Edinburgh Live.
The 45-year-old reported his unbelievable find to police straight away, who organised the disposal of the firearm by two armed response officers.
He said: “We had been out for around an hour when my magnet clicked on to something heavy and I pulled it in.
“As soon I saw it was a firearm I phoned the police and armed response officers arrived soon after.
“They inspected it and advised me it was real and took it away to be disposed of.
“It was in surprisingly very good condition and still had the leather strap for carrying it attached.”
James, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, has been magnet fishing for around three years after being inspired by a Youtube video on the pastime.
He has recently set up the Magnet Fishing Scotland group which is gathering attention on social media.
He added: “Magnet fishing is attaching a high powered magnet onto a rope and throwing it into a body of water to remove any metal items.”
“It’s relatively inexpensive and anyone can join in. You fish from the bank and I would never advise going into the water as you never know the undercurrent.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a firearm found in the Union Canal in Edinburgh around 11.05am on Saturday, 20 November.
“The item has been recovered safely and further enquiries are being carried out.”
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