Reunited with stolen rifle

The cache of guns and ammunition surrendered by a drug boss in exchange for a two-year discount on his jail sentence. Photo / Supplied

A gun collector has been reunited with a stolen rifle after an arsenal of illegal firearms was handed to police in a deal to cut the prison sentence of a drug boss.

The Weekend Herald revealed last week that surrendering guns is a growing trend among underworld figures as a bargaining chip to reduce long prison sentences.

Two years were taken off the 16-year jail term handed to William James McFarlane, found guilty of manufacturing methamphetamine, after he handed over a cache of 15 weapons and ammunition.

But an Auckland man recognised a rifle stolen from his home three years ago in the published photograph of the arsenal.

The Italian-made Armi Jager AP 74 was handed back to the man, who asked not to be named for his safety, on Wednesday. "I fired a shot. It still works," he said.

The collector's item was among 15 guns stolen from his home in the rural outskirts of Auckland in August 2007, in what he believes was a targeted daytime raid.

"It's a hobby of mine, I just like nice wooded guns. I only used them for rabbit shooting."

The thieves went straight to a locked gun cupboard upstairs. A partial palm print was found but no one was ever arrested.

"This is all drug connected, I'm sure," he said.

He said the controversial prison sentence deals for underworld figures was worthwhile.

"It's good to get these off the streets. They could be used for anything."