Saanich police are investigating how a .455-calibre Webley revolver belonging to an 81-year-old Gordon Head man ended up in a recycling facility on Bridge Street.
A worker found the gun on July 19 while monitoring a conveyor belt carrying scrap metal.
He turned it over to his supervisor, who brought it to Saanich police.
Saanich officers used the gun’s serial number to track down the owner, who had no idea it was missing.
The incident is a good reminder for gun owners to occasionally check that their firearms are secure, Sgt. Steve Eassie said.
The gun works, but the calibre of bullet it takes is no longer sold, which may be why it was discarded, Eassie said.
Police plan to return the gun to the owner after the investigation is complete.
