One For Our 'Smiths Perhaps

[wymberley]

First of all, I'd better just say that nothing will be done (if at all) until the gun has been looked at by an extremely competent 'smith who would also do the work if necessary and consequently I'm just looking for a guide.

 

My step-son has a gun which is in superb condition except for a query about the barrels which are showing some minor signs of pitting. The proof marks (never seen such a clearly stamped set before) indicate together with the maker's address that it is just c6 years short of its century. The bores are stamped 13 and 13/1. However, on the barrels just in front of the flats are what I think are London reproof marks (not all all clear and the original are Birmingham). If that is correct then I believe that the barrels will be at or greater than 719 and 729 respectively. We have no idea when the reproof would have been done (assuming I'm right). Consequently, the existing minor pitting could have occured after that time or may not have been totally removed when the work necessitating the reproof was done. My layman's impression is that of the latter case. Unfortunately, there will be an unavoidable delay until the gun can be seen by the 'smith.

 

Questions for guidance are:

Are the 'reproof marks' where you could be expected to find them? - Or indeed could they be something else?

Is there a limit to which it would be either illegal or ill advised to submit a gun for further reproof on the grounds that it is likely to fail? Resale value does not enter the equation so thin walls which might affect the resale value do not come into it provided naturally the gun has passed proof and is safe to use.

As the pitting is very mild (to this layman) would regular and proper maintenence prevent it from getting worse?

 

Many thanks.

 

[panoma1]

13/1 indicates it was proofed under the 1925 rules.

If you put up some clear pictures of all proofmarks plenty on here can tell you what they say.......but to know if what it says is still relevant you would need the bores inspected and measured by someone competent to do so!

[wymberley]

Before then (1925) I think.

[panoma1]

Before then (1925) I think.

Nitro proof first became mandatory under the 1925 rules of proof, before that it was voluntary.....I assumed the gun is Nitro proofed? If so it was likely to have been Nitro Proofed under 1925 rules?

However the fractional marking (13 & 13/1) were in use before this......from 1887 so the gun was probably made some time before 1925 and would probably have been originally proofed for black powder only?

 

Just guesswork at the moment.....Photographs of the proofmarks would help!