The proof houses number, followed by a dot, then by a 2digit number for the year, as. Any attachments you add to a pdf will move with it if you transfer the document to a new location or person. The dreyse needle gun was a military breech loading rifle, famous as the main. The name wischo was a european importerdistributor and as many euro countries have their own proof laws, my revolver required reproofing before being allowed to be sold in belgium. Wondering if anyone knows how to age a beretta action ie. Proof mark add value because they can indicate provenance, date of manufacture, or in a best case scenario truly set a gun apart if it has an especially rare origin. The proof master the proof house 48 commercial road london e1 1lp united kingdom. The table below can be used to see if your gun was proofed in london or birmingham. The sporterising work was done in england after ww2, so it is likely that the rifle ended up there during the war, but possibly as a surplus bulksale after the war. This is the portion of a long gun 22word firearm was originally coined in the medieval period and referred to any weapon mak the ing use of fire for destructive effect. Also, an individual gunmakers code appears in the following format. The way in which the marks were applied poses more questions.
The national sporting arms museum, at the bass pro shops in springfield, missouri, at explores and exhibits the. Though the european tradition of compulsory proofing and subsequent marking dates back to the english gun barrel proof act of 1868, germany did not adopt a similar law until 1891. Model 1892 and 1894 carbines with canadian proof marks. Proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which it was designed in england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. The following chart contains common proofreading marks used by all professional writers. Please enter the markings you want to research and click the submit button. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun 18681925 london definitive special super power proof for parabellum pistols 18681925 birmingham voluntary special black powder proof.
The proof marks you describe would seem to be belgian marks so it could be difficult to trace the true manufacturer. Wirnsberger describes it as a mark used before 1923 on breechloading underlever shotguns, and describes a nearly identical mark only as a mark used by eibar proof house between december 14, 1929 and july 9, 1931. Was it built and proofed for black or smokeless powder. Files can be embedded attached to the pdf so that they stay with the pdf. Jan 04, 2015 the only true inspection marks on american arms would be the proof marks on the barrel and stock flat. Mauser rifling lasts about a quarter as long but it really likes the boattails. Since that gun is not american, i suspect its real origin was spain. Sometimes these marks are more obtrusive, on the frame, sides of barrel and sides of cylinder. Oct 28, 2010 the shield shape in the first pic is the modern mark for leige in belgium and in the last pic it appears to be a stamp for superior proof not english make and nitro proof but a mix of european and english marks is a bit strange. As to the placement of proof house symbols, it depends upon the model of gun, and the level of embellishment, the latter often dictating a discrete location on the underside of the barrel or frame on highly engraved examples. The late bill ruger was a weapons designer in world war ii. Though it became, and remains for most english speakers, synonymous with gun, a firearm can more properly be considered to be a manportable gun ares, 2016a.
Leonardo antaris, astra automatic pistols, has some good, though incomplete, material on spanish proofs. I have a 682 that the previous owner told me was sporterised trap gun i. The nra museums are home to the finest firearms collection in the world. Originally posted by xb40 i believe you didn t read his statement correctly. On a national level a lot of countries have used different proof methods, but at. Dec 15, 2017 as the uk is a signatory of the international proof commission cip, it recognises the proof marks of every other member state. As to the placement of proof house symbols, it depends upon the model of gun, and the level of embellishment, symbol year of proof symbol year of proof symbol year of proof x 1954 xx7 1971 at 1988 xi 1955 xx8 1972 au 1989 xii 1956 xx9 1973 az 1990 xiii 1957 xxx 1974 ba 1991 xiv 1958 aa 1975 bb 1992 xv. The more commonly encountered markings are shown here with brief explanations of their. The proof and testing of firearms birmingham gun barrel.
Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun since 1950 e. They tell you time of make, origin,bore diameter,barrel weight,chamber length, smokeless powder proof and many more if you want to know i am at your serves. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b. Many old guns may have been reproved once or more, often in a different proof house from the original one. The first is the provisional gardone proof, consisting of a star sur. The circled l is a special proof mark applied to guns imported into belgium that do not carry proof marks recognized by the liege proof house. For corroboration, crossreference with the proof house controllers mark.
The manufacturer affixes his marks during the production process, as a rule before the final assembly. I think i have a list somewhere, if i can find it ill post a pic or link. Richards marked shotgun, trying to identify age the. Research continues for the inclusion of pre1950 german proofmarks. Proof the testfiring of a gun with an extraheavy load, at an official establishment, to verify the safety of a gun, which is then marked with formal stamps showing, among other things, the loads for which it is intended.
Dec 05, 2010 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. It will tell you the era when the gun was made and where. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945. Since the 1988 act does not permit any revolver gun to be regarded as a shotgun, smoothbore revolver. Rules, regulations and scales, birmingham proof house. Thus, establishing the approximate age of most european proofed guns is greatly facilitated. Proof marks are the official stamps or ciphers showing that a barrel has been properly tested with the prescribed excess charges of powder and ball that allow a large factor of safety to the user.
In general the importation of foreign arms, bearing no proof marks or bearing marks not now recognised is an offence, unless those arms are submitted to a proof house within 28 days of arrival. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service the drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. Proof house marks are an evidential provision only. There are many more variations shown on prem183540 muskets, as there were a wide variety of contractors. Visit our shopping site pages and buy from us direct or visit our books for sale pages and buy research materials from one of our affiliates.
It was brought about by reputable gun makers in order to establish the safety and integrity of the firearms concerned, thus giving protection to the user and establishing a quality standard. A single letter, either roman or greek, upper or lower case, underlined or not. Deactivated weapons key points deactivated weapons are largely indistinguishable from those capable of firing. He founded his firm in 1949, and pioneered the use of stampings and investment castings in us arms production.
There are many thousand of these and it would take several books to even begin to list them. It is my understanding that jm is still being stampedlook to see if there is a rep stamp. Reasons for gun barrel proof gun barrel proof, or proof testing of firearms and the ammunition that is used in them is compulsory in the uk. Alteration to or the forging of proof marks is a more serious offence. It is now one of the largest manufacturers of firearms in the united states. A very brief history of gun proof before one start with the technical details, one must understand somewhat of the history of the way in which shotguns have been proofed in modern times. Of most direct interest to those concerned with merger related antitrust issues are three types of empirical studies. Proof marks 2403 the proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no other markings are evident. Im thinking, for instance, of a chamber, throat, or barrel which deviates from the cip specification.
Evidence on mergers and acquisitions federal trade commission. Proof marks 2357 the proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no other markings are evident. This is no assurance however, that all components of the guns where made in germany, the gun making center in liege in belgium was known for the good quality of. Marks applied to eastern european, formerussr and chinese weapons i. Enfield rifling lasts fiveeighths of forever but it doesnt really like boattailed bullets. For example, this means that a gun with belgian proof marks can be sold in the uk without being reproofed because belgium is a cip member. Intended to help guarantee the quality of firearms produced in each nation, proof laws laid. These marks are customarily the cipher of the gunsmiths guild and the mark of the state or city. However, many are known and they often reveal a lot about the individual rifle.
Proof marks ballistics bev fitchetts guns magazine. It is, however, possible to find guns as early as 1640 carrying crown over p and crown over. Rules, regulations and scales of proof, a schedule to the proof act, are the working instructions of the two proof houses. Fire selector marks kalashnikov pattern weapons central lower origin 1 albania 2 albania bulgaria 3 4 china 5 6 china 7 8 egypt egypt russian receiver9 germany gdr hungary 10 11 iraq 12 north korea poland 1 annotation on an albanian akm. A book containing all the currently valid, foreign and uk proof marks, is available at a small charge from the london and birmingham proof houses.
In england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. Rules, regulations and scales applicable to the proof of small arms. Proof marks are usually found on the underside of the barrels, and if a gun has german proof marks and was made in 1892 or later, you know that the gun was proof tested in germany. Appendix 6 gun marks gun marks can include proof marks, but for this chapter, they are restricted to manufacturer s marks, inspector s marks and arsenal marks. The liege, belgium proofmarks are seen in the close up pic. Before one start with the technical details, one must understand somewhat of the history of the way in which shotguns have been proofed in modern times.
Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a series of identification guides for small arms. The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print it is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hall marks, but the proof marks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. Has anyone here seen nonstandard proof marks from one of the british proof houses before. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information that we have found on this subject.
Conversely, most pre1914 nepalese marks were engraved. Hundreds of line drawings, charts, and indices make this book the worlds most valuable proof mark reference for the collector. The white line look on hunting rifles is common in mauserland too. However, as the us has no federated proof system and american makers conduct their own proof tests, us guns must be proofed on arrival in the uk, because the us is not a cip member.
Often the meaning is unknown even to the most knowledgeable researchers. Rules, regulations and scales of proof made or altered under section 117 of the principal act measurements whether length, area, volume, mass or weight may be expressed in imperial or in metric units, where internationally. This is backed up by that fact that the action only has a safety button. When it comes to proof marks, something not shown in the books always shows. Proceeds and commissions from these sales in part go towards the purchase of additional reference materials and. German proof marks and arms codes, 18601960 open library. The proof master the gun barrel proof house banbury street birmingham b5 5rh united kingdom.
I know absolutely nothing about this, but couldnt it be possible that there were parts. Proof marks can be a very valuable aid to the forensic firearms investigator as. Antaris describes it as so early eibar house proof. Whats the cut off date for preremington marlin lever. Elg belgian markings the firearms forum the buying. Check out our list of the best ruger firearms highlighting the best ruger has to offer in the. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3. Officially, these markings are known as proof marks or proof stamps. Moder modern black powder prn black powder proofmarksoofmarks. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. The national firearms museum, at the nra headquarters in fairfax, virginia, details and examines the nearly 700year history of firearms with a special emphasis on firearms, freedom, and the american experience. Pdf protector, splitter and merger pro is a best pdf software with multiple functions for pdf documents such as encrypt pdf files protect pdf files with password, split pdf files break large pdf document into small parts, merge pdf files combine many pdf documents into one pdf file, extract images from pdf files and extract text from pdf files. Jun 21, 2012 the circled l is a special proof mark applied to guns imported into belgium that do not carry proof marks recognized by the liege proof house.
Apr 12, 2020 proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which it was designed. What are leige belgium proof marks, and do they diminish value. Proof testing is nominally a nondestructive test, particularly if both. Army and other security corps are reported to the police. The following image shows how to use the proofreading marks in an essay.
Standard directory of proof marks reprint edition by g. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3 dimensional appearance that requires the onlooker. This is a recording of a workshop given at the 2014 afte association of firearm and toolmark examiners conference in seattle, on the subject of proof marks. This is a discussion on proof marks and made in germany within the xseries, sport, mastershop pistols forums, part of the sig sauer pistols category. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service. The present law on the subject is to be found in the gun barrel proof acts 1868, 1950 and 1978 and various rules of proof, but particularly those of 1925, 1954, 1986 and 2006 when the metric system of measurement was introduced. Proof masters in london and birmingham can be contacted at the addresses below. Firearms identification identify all types of guns. The numerous markings and proofs found on mosin rifles can be overwhelming to the new collector. Steindler has a lot of material, if you have the fortitude and energy to dig it out. Generally these are v, p, eagle head, in slight variations.
Selected antique firearms pre1898 from selected countries updated february 25, 2008. He has also published a number of articles on english gunmakers and. These are some of the common exterior markings on the m1911 and m1911a1 pistols. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun since 1952 ulm since 1968 hannover since 1968 kiel w. The majority of marks will be found on the barrel flats, though early guns may have stamps on the tubes, under the forend. Sample photos of their layouts are at the bottom of the page. A robust recordkeeping system provides the necessary means to trace small arms1 and investigate the illicit trade. Canadian proof marks the crown over crossed flags were used which explains why there are some winchester model 92s with canadian acceptance marks. An individual proof test may apply only to the unit tested, or to its design in general for massproduced items. Such a structure is often subjected to loads above that expected in actual use, demonstrating safety and design margin. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information. The rules specify the pressure to be used in proof, standards of view and the marks to be impressed on guns which pass proof, together with much detail as to bore and chamber dimensions, proof and service pressure. It may be possible to date the gun if any year code letters are present.
For both small arms and heavy weapons, the gun is fired remotely and then. Part v proof marks used by the british proof authorities 14 20. I am new in this forum, i have a shotgun eigebarspain, 410 gauge 3chamber, with 3 marks, one is spanish option smoke less 1931, spanish addmission proof for eibar since 1931, and spanish definitive black p. Yes almost every gun has these marks on the gun and more marks. Proofreading marks and how to use themgrammar tutorial. Thus, this article is a modest attempt to combine what information is. The only true inspection marks on american arms would be the proof marks on the barrel and stock flat. A proof test is a form of stress test to demonstrate the fitness of a loadbearing structure. Once this obligation is fulfilled, the czech arms and ammunition proofing authority will affix its proof mark. The major countries which either did not have proof or whose marks were not recognized were the u.
Originally posted by xb40 if i read the article correctly, the mastershop built the gun, proof tests the barrel, reassembles the gun, test fires on. Marks applied to eastern european, formerussr and chinese. German, suhl 1st black powder proof for smooth bored barrels since 1950 e. Amongst proof marks are codes enabling one to determine the date of manufacture of many guns. Please refer to the references section in this text for proof mark source information. In many jurisdictions a proof test and valid proof mark are required for the sale. Then students can apply the proofreading marks as tools to help them shape a better essay or story. Welcome thank you for visiting our online listing of manufacturers identifying marks, referred to more commonly as proof marks, arsenal or inspector marks. Proofreading symbols are used to identify mistakes and to state the needed correction. Explanation of the symbol begin a new paragraph capitalize a lowercase letter use a lowercase letter insert a missing word, letter, or punctuation mark. I, seoirse o colla, minister for industry and commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 12 of the firearms proofing act, 1968 no.
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