they are from the suhl proof house as adopted in april 1912: the same rules went into effect sept 1, 1911 at the zella-mehlis house - but their use of the word "nitro" can be distinguished by the fact it is rendered in a script font. the lack of a crown over the nitro mark (such as present over the w and s proofs) indicates only passing the basic test - not the second @ 12,800psi.
the eagle stamp beside the w (and on both tubes) is the preliminary black power test, and directly below it, can be seen the faint crown that accompanies the u (directly below) - and in combination, they indicate the second or final black power proof.
the crown over s indicates a smooth bore barrel, and the crown over w indicates the presence of choke of .008 or greater constriction in that tube. the circled 16 is of course the chambering, in this case a normal 2 1/2"....and the 16/1 indicates an oversize bore - from memory a ibd of over .669.
the 1/24 is january 1924; the 71 is likely an assembly number. the 2016 under the right tube could be the serial number...repeated on water table? and the k and r over w stamps are likely mechanics marks involved in the barrels' construction.
best regards,
tom
Last edited by graybeardtmm3; 05/10/25 11:01 AM.
