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But the mark used in 1974 wasn't the small crossed scepters mark we see on this gun. It was a much larger mark enclosed in a circle. The mark on this gun was no longer used after 1941.

You've got me puzzled now Larry. Just looking at what I have shows the 'ZB' mark as the last used of that style in 1974. Then from 1975 to 1984 it shows the mark, minus the crossed sceptres, and enclosed in a circle. Then in 1985 it seems to go back to the old system with the familiar crossed sceptres. Then in 2008 it changes slightly again to the crossed sceptre mark with a 'B' at 12 o'clock (for Birmingham) and the last two digits for the year at 3 & 9 o'clock such as 0 8, 0 9, etc. No date marks were used from 1941 until 1950 because of military involvement. Hope I have it right. Lagopus.....

Here's what I have, Lagopus, from an article on Westley Richards by Colin Greenwood, Double Gun Journal Winter 2003:

"The marks ceased to be used from 1941, but were reintroduced for the calendar year 1950, this time with a circle divided into three . . . When this series expired in 1974, the circle was used without the inner divisions." If that's correct, then the mark for 1974 would have to be the new style--larger, and enclosed in a circle.

A case of different sources and different views. I went from Brown's 'British Gunmakers' and 'A Bi-Centenary History of the Birmingham Proof House 1813 - 2013' by C.W.Harding. Lagopus.....

I know that a large circle enclosing the mark (which made it MUCH easier to read) was used at some point post-1950. But other than the reference above, I can't tell you exactly when. But I don't recall seeing that previous small mark on any postwar guns . . . but I may well have missed it.