I don't think the subject longarm was Nitro proofed/proved until post 1989. I could easily be wrong, but post 1955 one could by special request have a longarm proved with black powder hence the stamps "Not Nitro" in London and "Black Powder" in Birmingham as well as the "Crown" over "BP". The stamps "NITRO PROOF" and "NITRO PROVED" were eliminated. Circa 1955 the resurection of black powder guns had not occurred and probably wasn't anticipated and at the time tubes destined to contain black powder pressure were proved with semi-smokeless. And this longarm was black powder proved in 1954-55 and Nitro proved post-1989 provided the "Crown" over "R" is coupled with the "bar" stamp.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 01/31/09 11:48 PM.
