doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Blank or Black proof?

Is this a misprint BLANK? Or BLACK.

Thanks in advance Gentleman

Looks like Blank Only

Odd gun looks pristine, why would they only proof for a blank?

Hell I bought the thing. I have briley 28ga tubes to fit this 16 if it’s been honed to death or pitted crazy! Will have it next week.
Any information on blank proof would be appreciated. Thanks

Briley makes 16g to 28g tubes? Or do you have an older set? I looked recently and didn't see any 16g options on the website, but maybe I missed them.

Sorry, don't know the answer to the proof question.

Nice looking gun!

Very interesting, and complicated
The gun is a H. Pieper (Original) Diana. Most were made with a steel breech bloc and pattern welded tubes like this gun





There will be more Belgian proof marks on the barrels. If the ELG in the oval is not crowned, the gun is pre-1893.

The gun would have been proved on import in England; after 1887 with the gauge; both the number (which I don't see) and inside the diamond.



It was reproved last year by the London Proof House; for Black Powder only at the request of whomever was paying for the service. I don't know which black powder was used, and which is chosen by the Proof House.
Under the 1896 Rules the 16g black powder proof was 5 1/2 Drams and 1 1/3 oz. shot at 10,570 psi (+ 10-14% for piezo pressure) for a service load of 2 3/4 Dram and 1 oz. shot (C&H No. 4, similar but not equivalent to FFg pressure 7,480 + 10-14%)
5 GRMS (grams) would be 77 grains. 82 grains of FFFg would be 3 Dram so I presume that is the service load?

The 2006 British Rules of Proof are here
https://www.gunproof.com/downloads/rules-proofing
p. 12 Rule 29 I assume refers to Black Powder proof
In the case of an arm or barrel declared by the Sender either for use with a Special Load, or for a mean pressure exceeding the highest Service Pressure for that arm, such arm or barrel shall be Specially Definitively Proved.
On p. 18 "Special Definitive Proof" can be for Nitro Powder or for Black Powder only

re: the "BLANK ONLY"
1. The Proof House has never made a mistake
2. If found to have made a mistake see #1
Blank powder BTW runs to a much higher pressure than Smokeless for the loud 'pop'
https://www.gunboards.com/threads/how-much-powder-in-blank-ammo.182595/

This Pieper seems a little more decorated than the other ones I had seen. So I was correct to assume blank only was a typo for black or a special proof for theater? I had never heard of a failed proof gun saying “Blank only”. Will do the myth busters back yard 11000psi proof test next week. This is a quite nice example to just hang over the fireplace.
Thanks again Doc!

Did the bubba proof in back yard after checking thickness the generic way. Put 2 factory1oz Winchester (16ga gun) through each side no change in measurements. Really like this one, no mention of Dianna just B tt (patent) on one side and H. Pieper a Liege on other.


Definitely not a blank gun
I have some sub 6k loads I will use, wish the bone heads would of proofed for nitro over there, but probably saved me a couple grand this way

No mention of Dianna but has this ?

Nice.
My uncle (RIP), now cousin has a mint Canon Breeched 10b hamnergun by Patrick Mullin NY.
Only other one I’ve seen.
Enjoy.