doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com British proofmark help please

Don't the Europeans use 76 for the metric equivalent of 3" chambers? I don't have ready access to my proofmark stuff right now, and I'm doing a brain dump on who uses 75 and who uses 76.

Yeah, a pic or a close passing of a glass might help narrow the field. Concerning the gunmaking centers of Europe, I think all but France, which I think fully agreed to the CIP in 1960, for the most part had reciprocity with Britian up until the start of WWII(Sept. 1st, 1939). So unless there was an alteration, or post the commencement of WWII, seeing there is a Nitro proof I don't know why the tubes would experience another Nitro proof. I'd have to check, but East German used the "Crown" over "W" denoting constriction was used at least up until October of 1984. Post 1950, and post WWII, both parts of Germany(West used a more similar Federal Eagle) used a Bundesadler or more stylized Imperial Eagle that the Nazi period, which post 1939(April 1st, 1940- new German law) used the Reichsadler, which is more similar to the above depiction. I don't think the depection is an "Eagle"( I think WWII collectors use this term) over "N" but maybe the repair mark of "Eagle" over "J". So the period for the additional marks would narrow to say 1940 to 1945. In Germany tubes with constriction underwent an additional proof and this may account for the German choke mark, that is if there is constriction greater than 0.2mm. My question would be if the Brits would or would not accept the longarm as "in proof"??

I guess the "75" could be for chamber length, but the gauge usually accompanies it and also I'd expect to see a date stamp.

Kind Regards,


Raimey
rse

So, not a squashed buzzard but a squashed eagle; at least I was in the right bird group. smlekid, the British military mark is a broad arrow. It is about time some enterprising writer brought out a complete book on Proof Marks, I'm sure it would sell well. Lagopus.....

Official Guide to Gunmarks, Third Edition by Robert H. Balderson is available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-Gun...mp;sr=1-1-fkmr1

but ya'll are ALOT more entertaining

Drew, if you want us to entertain you some more just keep posting those great "drawings" of yours.
By the way,Balderson was not very helpful. Justin

Were were hoping that enterprising individual was you, Lagopus.

Justin:
I've considered for some time to purchase Balderson's text, but is it a waste of money?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, It sits on my shelf and comes out once a year for things like this;page after page of marks and their origins,about 1,000 marks in all. It showed me the difference between a squashed buzzard and a flattened eagle. Trade names seem to be long on American and short on Brits. Lots of rifle and pistol stuff I'm not into,big section on ATF definition of Curios and Relics,and some dating of revolvers.
Get it used and you'll be real happy,but $17 for the paperback is not to bad compared to what we pay for other books.
Justin

have a look at the image it shows a broad arrow and some inspection marks now allowing for artistic interpertation
I still think it is British Military the broad arrow is not an inspection mark it is an acceptence mark and there is reference to a W for Wilkinson the 75 is just a inspecters number
I may be wrong but there were shotguns issued to RAAF forces for teaching the basics of shooting in front of a moving target (air gunners) I can't see why the RAF didn't do the same
maybe the home guard???

nice call smlekid. Where did these marks appear on the gun? I can't make that out from the pic.

WELL DONE AND THANKS! Here's your badge



We know Smith guns were purchased by the military