Birmingham Proof House Private View Marks are available from 1921 to 2001 in my records. Letters A thru V correspond to 1921-22 thru 1940-41. The letter will be found in the upper portion of an X shape formed by crossed swords. The lower portion of the X will have a number corresponding to the Inspector concerned.Note that a reference refers to the X as formed by crossed spears, but the stamp on some guns I viewed recently looked more like crossed swords.
From Jan, 1, 1950 through 1974 you can find AB, BB, CB etc thruough ZB, corresponding to the years. These letters will be found on the two sides of the X formed by crossed swords, while the number for the inspector will be found as above.
From Jan 1, 1975 thru 1984 the same two letters starting with AB and ending with KB will be found in a circle with the inspector's number just below the letters in the circle.
From Jan 1, 1985 through Dec. 2001 the marks of LC through ZC indicate years through 1997. 1998 Starts iwth AD and ends with DD for 2001. These letters are found in the left and right side of the X formed by crossed swords, but with no inspector number.
I assume 2002 corresponds to ED and 2003 to FD,etc., but am not sure on this.
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 02/08/11 06:20 PM.
