A university student is to face trial for allegedly manufacturing two handguns using a 3D printer.
In what is thought to be a legal first, Tendai Muswere, 25, is being prosecuted for creating the frames of a James R Patrick PM522 Washbear Revolver and a Reprringer V3 Hexen pepper-box handgun.
The alleged weapons were found during a raid on Muswere’s flat in Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, central London.
The Zimbabwean national was a student at London’s Southbank University at the time of the offence.
Muswere appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, where he denied two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm in respect of the two alleged weapons.
He further denied two counts of manufacture of a prohibited firearm relating to the same two guns.
The process of 3D printing involves layering composite materials to create complex shapes and was initially used for manufacturing prototypes but is increasingly being used for consumer products.
The Washbear Revolver was created in November 2015 by American mechanical engineering student James R Patrick and the specifications disseminated online.
The Hexen pepper-box handgun first appeared in 2013, and is believed to be the first attempt to create a viable firearm with a 3D printer.
Listing Muswere’s trial for 27 August, Judge Christopher Hehir told him: “If you were to fail to attend, that would be a separate criminal offence and it’s very likely you would be tried in your absence.”
Judge Hehir also scheduled a further case management hearing for 19 June.