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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 114 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 114 Likes: 1 |
Im trying to figure out if this gun is out of proof or not. It was made by W. Richards of Liverpool. I measured the bores at Rt=.732, lft=.730. Thanks in advance and can anyone can recommend reference material on reading proof marks so I can learn more about it? -Tom Posting pics didnt seem to work, photos of proof marks are at: http://photos.yahoo.com/thom_davis
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 625 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 625 Likes: 1 |
Hello Tom,
Take a look here:-http://www.gunproof.com/Proofing/proofing.html
This is the Website of the Birmingham (England) Proof House where your gun was almost certainly proofed originally. Some of their 'Proof Marks' are illustrated.
The term 'Out of proof' can mean several things including wear which makes the tollerances allowed in a particular chamber or bore to be outside the permitted limits for that calibre or bore.
From what I can see from your pictures your shotgun is Nitro Proofed, probably in the 1930-40 period but the details don't show up all that well. You could send the gun to be re-proofed, but it would cost quite a bit when you include shipping and insurance charges from the USA and back.
On the other hand, if it failed re-proof you could console yourself by thinking of the heavy hospital bills you may have had to pay if it blew up in use, providing of course you survived.
Harry
Always trying to bring a little happiness to someone else. lol.
Biology is the only science where multiplication can be achieved by division.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
As pertains to bore size I believe a gun is considered "In Proof" if it has not been enlarged more than .008" (.2mm) over proofed diameter. I can tentatively make out .729" for the right bbl, but can't see the left bbl size. This would mean that as relates to bore size only at least the right bbl would still be in proof for the loads which meet proof specs ie, 3 tons. It would not be proofed for US SAAMI spec loads of course. With the decimal dia & tons pressure this appears to me to be a post 1954 proof.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,274 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,274 Likes: 1 |
Tom, The 1977 Gun Digest has an article on British proof marks and some history by Lee Kennett. They are usually available on ebay at reasonable prices. Jim A.
I learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what I learned the day before was wrong
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11 |
The proof marks on the barrels of your gun are those of the Birmingham Proof House, circa 1954-1994. They are for a 12.G gun with 2.5 inch chambers. Allowable bore size for 12g is .729/.739 inches. Provided the chambers still measure 2.5 inches your gun is in proof.
The action bears a London view stamp[V surmounted by a crown] and some indistinct marks that look like Birmingham proof marks. This suggests to me, that your gun was origionally proof tested in London and rebarrelled and re proofed in Birmingham.
Roy Hebbes
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