Originally Posted by fab500
[Linked Image from i.goopics.net]

Salut Argo,

Ce poinçon sur le fusil est spécifique à la Manufacture Modèle, filiale de vente de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint Etienne.

Il a dû se produire un souci lors du marquage des poinçons d'épreuve. D'ailleurs, il n'est pas complet.

Pour résumer, de 1923 à 1927, les armes MF ainsi que MM ont les mêmes poinçons d'épreuve.
A partir de 1928, les armes MM ont des nouveaux poinçons comme sur la photo.

Le numéro de modèle n'étant pas inscrit sur ce fusil, on ne peut faire que des suppositions.
Je pense à un 8E antérieur à 1931 ou à un 44 postérieure à 1930.
D'ailleurs le nombre 44 est inscrit sur la crosse au niveau de la plaque de couche.

Comme toi, je pense qu'on peut dire que la pièce 17 est une gâchette d'armement.

I just translated this,


Hi Argo,

This hallmark on the rifle is specific to the Manufacture Modèle, a sales subsidiary of the Manufacture d'Armes de Saint Etienne.

There must have been a problem when marking the proof marks. Moreover, it is not complete.

To summarize, from 1923 to 1927, the weapons MF as well as MM have the same punches of test.
From 1928, the MM weapons have new punches as in the photo.

The model number is not listed on this rifle, we can only make assumptions.
I am thinking of an 8E before 1931 or a 44 after 1930.
Besides the number 44 is inscribed on the butt at the level of the butt plate.

Like you, I think we can say that piece 17 is an arming trigger.

I f you look, there is a small 8 stamped on each of the metal parts. I had noticed that the rather large 44 appeared on the buttstock, with the two 4's not matched in size.
Given the gun, catalog listings and your info, would a guess of a 1930-31 period transition gun make sense? It could have been assembled from parts meant for the two different models. Or, it could have experienced a major failure (the tang stock joint) and a replacement stock installed on a pre-1930 gun with a post 1931 new stock. No way to prove, but certainly believeable.

Your chart would also maybe show the meaning of the double E's previously discussed.