and now I can't find it. Plz give the link. Thanks.

Geno,

This may help. Geoffroy put the list together.




Pete

I have a 12-g Darne serial number 22347 with a two-piece stock.
That list doesn't help.

There are, unfortunately, a million and one exceptions and exclusions to the "list".
A lot of information was contained in Paul Bruchet's head, and never made it to paper.
That is a pity.

Best,
Ted

I have a 3 digit SN V-20. Can I assume manufacture pre 1910 without a doubt?

Is there any way to determine pre-1898 versus post 1898 based upon serial number. I have a 10 gauge with serial number 65XX and wondered if there was a way to determine when it was manufactured.

Is it proofed for powder T? If so, that dates it post 1900.

My V20 was serial number 20,000 and change and was dated to 1910 by the name of the engraver who signed it. It wasn't his best work, as he was quite elderly at the time. These were some of the things Paul Bruchet knew about coming to a conclusion about a gun's build date.

I have no clue how you replace that.

Best,
Ted

When were the discs added to the standing breech?

Ted:

Would that be "Poudre T" stamped somewhere on the barrel flat?

Rem

No. You would look for a crown with the letters PT under it. Older guns would have PS, PJ, PR, PM or whatever other powder the piece was proofed with stamped on them, with a single crown.
Two crowns, with the letter PT under, is 1924 and later.

The obturateur discs come after 1908.

Best,
Ted

Ted,
Thanks. Then my 12-g Darne with two-piece stock and no discs (No.22347)is c.1908 or before.

Steve,
That does depend on the grade of the gun also. My two piece stock gun with no discs was positively built in 1946.

Tell us a bit more about the information on the flats of your gun.

I've seen a few Halifax guns and R10s that have simple three digit serial numbers, and later features. Hard to place them, for sure.

Best,
Ted

Here is an example, one piece stock:


Can it be roughly dated? The gun was expressly made for export.

JC

Between 1900 and 1924-rough enough?

Best,
Ted

Mine is marked with a crown over the letters PS. Does that pin the date down at all?

Pre 1900, probably. Powder S was in use for proof from 1896 until 1914. From what I was told by the proofmaster at St. Etienne, powder T came on in 1900 and was the standard proof powder, BUT, the customer could specify proof with powders J, S, M or R, after 1900 until 1914-but, few, very, very few, actually did.
You might want to keep your load pressure down with that old girl. The old powders were dropped from use as proof powders because they had trouble getting them to develop 12,000 PSI minimum pressure specified by the Brussels convention.
Powder T is the only one of them still in use today.


Best,
Ted

Hello Ted,

Yes, and thank you.

Best to you too.

JC

Ted:

Thanks for the information.

Rem

Always remember fellows, it's worth more than you paid for it!!!! And, stupid looks are STILL free!
Best,
Ted