This FN was proofed no later than June 1924. The Lion Rampant (not a crown) over PV was introduced for military rifles of 8mm & smaller in 1898 & then applied to the supplementary smokeless proof for shotguns in 1903. 16/C in a diamond was begun in 1898 & replaced by the gauge & shell length, thus 16-65 inside a stylized C following June of 1924. The mark D=65/19.0 for length of chamber & dia of chamber just ahead of the rim C'Bore was likewise in use from about 1892 through June of '24 & applied only to those guns receiving the smokeless proof. This gun was thus proofed no later than June 1924. Info from A Baron Englehardt, Gun Digest article.
Mikes Geco is post June '24. you can observe the different guge/chamber length mark there. Prior to '24 guns carrying only the black Powder marks did not have chamber length marked, only the gauge thereof.
Last edited by 2-piper; 01/28/10 11:18 PM.
