I'm still a little confused and the internet isn't helping. Was the NFB stamp requirement instituted in both proof houses at the same time as "CHOKE" (11 Nov 1875), or did stamping the flats with "NFB" come first then a few months later "CHOKE" supplemented or complemented it? Larry's post above makes it seem as if NFB was already being stamped - then it was decided that "CHOKE" could be substituted for it.
(I do note that in "Tiger"'s analysis of Reilly 19286, he commented on the H.Walker patent use number, but also on the fact the gun had neither NFB, nor "CHOKE" (although there is clearly a "choke" marked on the left barrel).
As I understand it Greener worked pretty much throughout 1874 on perfecting the choke concept (originally an American idea) - Greener's choke bore was first mentioned in Dec 1874 then ran the tables at "The Field" trials in 1875 - which is presumably why the proof houses acted.
Last edited by Argo44; 11/25/18 10:38 PM.
