Interesting example of the Austro-Hungarian proof marks from Vienna. It appears that the double experience proof in 1906 but it doesn't have the semi-smokeless/nitro stamp as per decree #174 of 1899. Vienna, and a branch/satellite house at the Steyr facility, along with the rest of the Austro-Hungarian facilities based their proof rules on Ferlach's, which was based on the Liege, Belgium model. I don't see the preliminary mark of a script "E" overstamped by a "V" but there is the mark for the second proof firing, which is the shield with the cross on it. The 3rd mark for firing or viewing, depending on the inspector at the proofhouse, is the double headed eagle(Habsburg-
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi/noframes/read/44393 ) which should have a "4" on its breast plate. There is a mark near the forend lug that I can't see clearly. Another point noteworthy is that he refers to Vienna as the German name Wien(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna ), which had a large population about the time this double was proof/proved. The type of action & the dates Petrov posted seem to check suggesting the double was built in the late 1880s or early 1890s. But Austria was supposed to have been more strict on the issue of proof of guns on-hand and guns made prior to 1891 were only given a year's grace period.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
