Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Just having a look at my old KFC s/a following a thread re shooting geese. I assumed that it wouldn't be steel proofed given its age, can anyone confirm what I think is a steel proofed proof mark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Can't see one on there. My gun has both the fleurdelis and the words steel proofed on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Can't see one on there. My gun has both the fleurdelis and the words steel proofed on itNot easy to see on this photo but after "magnum" there is "sp" with fleur de lys over the top. Edited April 25, 2016 by Glenlivet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 That's steel proofed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I think that is SP under a crown which is a Birmingham mark for heavier loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 "SP" is more likely to be 'superior proof'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) I think that is SP under a crown which is a Birmingham mark for heavier loads The only proof mark like this I've been able to find were for dates 1868-1925 for special black powder. My gun would be Japanese circa 1983, pre steel shot? But it does look like a fleur de lys..... Edited April 25, 2016 by Glenlivet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 "SP" is more likely to be 'superior proof'. ^^^^ This " Superior proof" As far as I am aware all steel proof guns have a minimum 3" chamber I note yours is 70mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 You can have it steel proofed, if it isn't already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 You can have it steel proofed, if it isn't already. Not much point though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) It appears this gun was proofed in 1980 for heavy (magnum) loads of lead only! SP under a crown is the Birmingham mark for special definitive proof, the gun was proofed under the 1954 rules of proof (the rules of proof and proof marks changed in 1989) So no it is not proofed for HP steel shot! Edited April 25, 2016 by panoma1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I don't think you can steel proof a gun unless it has been materialy changed eg lengthening the chamber If it is sound in all respects then personally I should use it anyhow with half choke max But it's your risk and your assessment no well used gun would I rely on as being safe because it held a proof mark. In fact I have known very unsafe ones with brand new proof marks Many of us use old magnums with steel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 It appears this gun was proofed in 1980 for heavy (magnum) loads of lead only! SP under a crown is the Birmingham mark for special definitive proof, the gun was proofed under the 1954 rules of proof (the rules of proof and proof marks changed in 1989) So no it is not proofed for HP steel shot! Great info, thanks. The proof date ties in well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I don't think you can steel proof a gun unless it has been materialy changed eg lengthening the chamber If it is sound in all respects then personally I should use it anyhow with half choke max But it's your risk and your assessment no well used gun would I rely on as being safe because it held a proof mark. In fact I have known very unsafe ones with brand new proof marks Many of us use old magnums with steel Sounds good. The gun is pretty lightly used and has strange external multi chokes so I'll probably give it a go on normal steel if I can get 2 3/4" cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) KFCs have hard chrome barrels I would run it with steel. My youngest lad 12 year old Has a Jap Browning A5 magnum with similar proofing marks but 3 inch, now sami pressures for 3 inch and 2.75 inch are exactly the same . Add to this Browning USA claim the Jap A5s Kogyo howa Barrels are fine for steel, i would not be at all suprised if KFC used Kogyo howa barrels too, along with the SKBs and Diawa jap A5 clones. Me i would run it no hesitation. Edited April 25, 2016 by TONY R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Not much point though . Fair point. I have always used steel in my non-steel proofed guns when needs be; has never been an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Fair point. I have always used steel in my non-steel proofed guns when needs be; has never been an issue. Yes and that is what I would do if it were mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 KFCs have hard chrome barrels I would run it with steel. My youngest lad 12 year old Has a Jap Browning A5 magnum with similar proofing marks but 3 inch, now sami pressures for 3 inch and 2.75 inch are exactly the same . Add to this Browning USA claim the Jap A5s Kogyo howa Barrels are fine for steel, i would not be at all suprised if KFC used Kogyo howa barrels too, along with the SKBs and Diawa jap A5 clones. Me i would run it no hesitation. I'm impressed. I didn't imagine anyone else would have heard of this gun. The police computer certainly hasn't. I'll give it a go, should only be a few rounds anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 KFCs have hard chrome barrels I would run it with steel. My youngest lad 12 year old Has a Jap Browning A5 magnum with similar proofing marks but 3 inch, now sami pressures for 3 inch and 2.75 inch are exactly the same . Add to this Browning USA claim the Jap A5s Kogyo howa Barrels are fine for steel, i would not be at all suprised if KFC used Kogyo howa barrels too, along with the SKBs and Diawa jap A5 clones. Me i would run it no hesitation. But it's were that pressure is produced within the chamber KFCs have hard chrome barrels I would run it with steel. My youngest lad 12 year old Has a Jap Browning A5 magnum with similar proofing marks but 3 inch, now sami pressures for 3 inch and 2.75 inch are exactly the same . Add to this Browning USA claim the Jap A5s Kogyo howa Barrels are fine for steel, i would not be at all suprised if KFC used Kogyo howa barrels too, along with the SKBs and Diawa jap A5 clones. Me i would run it no hesitation. But it's were that pressure is produced within the chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 And they are the same SAMI pressure limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Went out this morning with the KFC s/a and some steel cartridges. Two geese removed, one happy farmer and gun in one piece - job done. Thanks for the input guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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