Proof marking

[Astrodancer54]

Hi all, I am new to this so please try to be patient. I am trying to decipher the markings on an old .410 folding double barrel. Can someone please explain what they all mean or, failing that, point me in the direction of someone who could help.

Thanks for your patience.

Mart.

[seeker]

A good place to start. .

http://www.shotguns.se/html/proof___marks.html

Can't see the marks clearly in my small screen ... possibly Belgian?

[wymberley]

Belgian. The sort of ££ is the provisional proof; the mark to the left of the 10.3 (10.3mm= c410) looking like a horizontal candle stick could well be a badly stamped view mark and the oval with the crown is the definitive proof. The 12M in the diamond has got me as has the star/'top hat'. No doubt someone will know what they are.

[deershooter]

The EL proof mark Is a temporary acceptance mark which was introduced on 16 June 1853 and used for final inspection at the Belgium proof house ,as said 10.3 is the barrel size .The mark that looks like a candle holder is the "famed Perron mark " is the final black powder proof mark ,the proof mark nearest the chamber is the 30% over pressure mark to say that it has been proved with 30% more powder and shot . The 12 m is the chamber length 2.5 inch 65 mm and has choked barrels ( full choke in both I think ) the top hat and star are likely to be marks used by the Belgium proof house to identify the manufacture

 

All taken from "the standard Directory of Proof Marks "

 

ISBN: 0-89149-006-X

 

1975

 

Deershooter

Edited September 30, 2014 by deershooter

[dougall]

how bad is the pitting?irrelevant of proof markings I would not shoot that without having someone take a look...

[Andy H]

The star with a U under it is the inspector mark of Charlier Hubert 1923 to 1953 and the diamond was used up to 1924, So in theory your gun was made in 1923 or 1924 on the action flats there will be another set of proof marks that should include the date code letter.

[wymberley]

The star with a U under it is the inspector mark of Charlier Hubert 1923 to 1953 and the diamond was used up to 1924, So in theory your gun was made in 1923 or 1924 on the action flats there will be another set of proof marks that should include the date code letter.

Do you happen to know out of interest what the 12M is for in that diamond?

 

Cheers

[loriusgarrulus]

http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html

 

This link might help.

[Andy H]

Do you happen to know out of interest what the 12M is for in that diamond?

 

Cheers

I should mean 12 mm and the c underneath means it's a choked barrel , 12mm was the European designation of .410" ,In 1924 it went from a diamond to a 3/4 oval with the chamber length in mm and the bore stamped as 410 and not as 12m .

Also the original post picture shows the barrels do not have a nitro proof mark on them (A rampant lion with letters) so it would appear the gun was only proofed for black powder use.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Andy H