L. Brown: I had the same thoughts but after wrestling with the puzzle for some time I have noted that the stamps of the vulgar fractions as well as the "c" of the rhombus is absent. Instead there is a 3 digit diameter measurement in inches. If there exists such an example, it could be a transition example of the October 1954 and February 1st, 1955 period with a mix of pre-1954 and post-1955 stamps. True the "Tons per "^2" is absent, but the words "BLACK POWDER" are present along with the amount. Post 1955, a black powder proved longarm would be stamped "NOT NITRO" in London and "BLACK POWDER" in Birmingham. And it seems the "Crown" over "BP" would be appropiate seeing the "Crown" over "BNP" is a merging of "BP" and Nitro Proof, which at that time the longarm doesn't look to have experienced Nitro Proof. So is the "Crown" over "R" with the last group of stampings and does it designate/differentiate/note Nitro Proof on a Black Powder longarm? Last, what is the mark just below the ".637""?
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 01/31/09 11:41 AM.
