doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Question about Hungarian FEG shotgun proof marks..

I have just purchased an FEG 12 ga, SxS. There is no maker's name anywhere on the gun, just the model name "Monte carlo" (on the top of the left barrel at the breech. The proof marks are as follows:
Left barrel - The number 12 superimposed over a 70, in a diamond-shaped marking, the numbers 60170/66, the stamped words "No Bullet" and "smokeless powder", the number 17.2, and a raindrop-shaped marking with a capital "I" in the center.
Right barrel - Same as the left, except the numbers are 1495 and 17.7.
I know that the 12-70 marks mean 12 ga, and the 17.2 and 17.7 are the bore sizes, but can anyone tell me the meaning of "No Bullet" and what the raindrop marking mean?
Thanks
Ken D. (Islandguy)

Probably means not for use with slugs.

Thanks. That was my first guess too. Wasn't planning to use slugs in any case, but do plan to use 00 buck (2.75") loads from time to time. Also, just found out elsewhere that the "raindrop" marking is that of the Budapest Proof House.
Islandguy

According to Kennett "no bullet" is the same as "not for ball", it simply means that barrel is choked.

Jim

I agree that "no bullet" notes a choke bored tube for a projectile that can be choked. It began as "NEM GOLYONAK"("not for ball") and I guess in 1966(from data string of 60170/66) was "no bullet". I'm curious if the "rain-drop shaped marking" is similar to a set of horns with a "I" in the center, which was the voluntary provisional proof in the white. Does it have a St. Stephen's Crest over B.P. all over FN(fust nelkuli=smokeless)- final smokeless proof used until the 1950s & 1960s or a wreath minus the center top portion with a star? There's a final proof mark there somewhere. Do the tubes weigh 1.495 kg(3.3 lbs)? Could you post a pic or email one?

Also for those who haven't purchased the text by the British Proof Authorities, Red 5th Edition I think, Google has scanned it and it can be found at: http://bilder.kammeret.no/albums/userpic..._small_arms.pdf .

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

There is one other mark, on the fore-end lug. Its in the shape of a very small shield (about 1/8" wide x 1/8" high) surrounding the letters FF over a single character that I can't quite make out. There are also (on the lug) the numbers 3 and 4 (same size), and a smaller 9.
islandguy

I wish I still had the no-name Hungarian 12ga F/M shotgun that I bought in the 70s. It was plain as pudding as yours but---like the SKB 100s---definitely a best-buy then and now. I gave it to my son.

islandguy emailed me this translated Russian site, http://translate.google.com/translate?hl...l%3Den%26sa%3DN , which notes that "smokeless powder" is the final proof. Hungarian proofmark info appears to be quite a puzzle as the 1928/1929 changes were per a decree or order number. There may have been distinctive marks for the periods 1949 to 1956 and 1957 to 1971. April 1st of 1971, and possibly 1973, also saw changes in the rules. Maybe Jani can set us on the straight and narrow.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse