GBS Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 (edited) Can anyone help clear up some confusion. I understand that a gun proofed as 12 bore can actually be a number of different bore dimensions. What I dont know however is how to translate the proof marks into knowing what the dimension is. Am I correct in thinking that the following marks translate as: 12/1 = 0.740 12 = 0.729 13/1 = 0.719 13 = 0.710 Also, Is there a difference between a "12" in a diamond and a "12 C" in a diamond? and lastly........ how does this translate to other bores and their nominal dimensions? Please ask if anything above is confusing and doesnt make sense.. Many thanks, Gb Edited August 4, 2008 by georgieB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 There is some information here: http://www.basc.org.uk/media/100_proof.pdf and http://www.gunproof.com/Proofing/proofing.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Can anyone help clear up some confusion. I understand that a gun proofed as 12 bore can actually be a number of different bore dimensions. What I dont know however is how to translate the proof marks into knowing what the dimension is. Am I correct in thinking that the following marks translate as: 12/1 = 0.740 12 = 0.729 13/1 = 0.719 13 = 0.710 Also, Is there a differece between a "12" in a diamond and a "12 C" in a diamond? and lastly........ how does this translate to other bores and their nominal dimensions? Please ask if anyhting above is confusing and doesnt make sense.. Many thanks, Gb The bore dimensions that you give are correct to the proof stamping, or rather they were correct at the time of proof, they may not be that size now. 12 in a diamond is the nominal gauge, that is the bores may be any of those that you list, but it is a 12g chambered gun. 12C is smply "12 chamber", 12LC in a diamond is "long chamber". "12C" was used from 1925 to 1954, after this just "12" was used in a diamond. After 1989 the diamond was dropped and stamping such as 12-65, 12-70 etc. was used instead to denote chambering and length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted August 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Thank-you both. Very useful answers. I found all of the information in the back of British Gunmakers by Nigel Brown last night too. I am looking at a gun that had "12 in a diamond" "12C in a diamond" and "12-65" all stamped on the barrel flats therefore am I correct in assuming it has been reproofed twice? It also had "13/1" and "18.8" stamped but i could see no sign of a proof mark for the 0.729 reproof. Could this have been struck out/struck over with a new mark? Attached is a photo. gb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Your gun was originally proofed pre 1904. It has since been re-proofed twice, hence the two crown over R stamps (reproof). The scoll R is London, the block R is B/ham. It has been re-proofed in Birmingham between 1925 and 1954 and in London since then. One can only assume that the previous owner was as paranoid about proof as yourself Proof marks are not removed or struck out. Note that your gun is only proofed for 2 & 1/2" (65mm) cartridges. It is quite unusual to see two reproofs on a gun, my guess would be that it has been sold by auction. Auction houses tend to put all guns that are of doubtful age or soundness through proof to cover themselves under the Proof acts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted August 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Your gun was originally proofed pre 1904.It has since been re-proofed twice, hence the two crown over R stamps (reproof). The scoll R is London, the block R is B/ham. It has been re-proofed in Birmingham between 1925 and 1954 and in London since then. One can only assume that the previous owner was as paranoid about proof as yourself Proof marks are not removed or struck out. Note that your gun is only proofed for 2 & 1/2" (65mm) cartridges. It is quite unusual to see two reproofs on a gun, my guess would be that it has been sold by auction. Auction houses tend to put all guns that are of doubtful age or soundness through proof to cover themselves under the Proof acts. Cheers Bob, Yes, I was suprised to find two sets of reproof marks too. Right, when i get home tonight im going to take the Greener apart and try to decipher its proof marks! Many thanks again, Gb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.