With the new pic post I now see 2 of the 3 marks which are the number "65" and the letter "G". The one in the oval I can't make out is just under "ENCASTRE'" on the left tube. Quite odd, but it appears the serial number or assembly number is "65" as found near the lower rib and on the watertable. Then there are the "65" stamps on the flats for the cartridge length which are independent of the assembly numbers and it is that which makes it odd. It could be from the 1920s, it is just difficult to say. But at some point, maybe in 1946, like the Belgians, the weight of the barrels was supposed to be stamped along with the length of the tubes. And Saint Etienne used the "NORMAL" stamp for chamber dims of 65mm and was supposed to be a result of the 1914 International Proof Conference in Brussels. I'm not sure if it was in 1924, 1946 or 1960(kind of doubt it). But post 1962 if a chamber was stretched 5mm or if the weight of the tubes was reduced more than 6%, then the longarm had to experience reproof. What was the patent date on the recoil pad?
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 02/01/09 12:22 PM.
