doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Proof marks

Hi all,
I'm looking at a beater hammer gun, Belgian for British export. It looks like it has Birmingham proof marks. Can some more knowledgable people than I tell me what this all means? I know the gun is proofed at 1-1/4oz, 2-3/4 chambers, and I think it was proofed after 1904 right? What can I safely shoot out of this thing? Psi? Thanks!

BTT,

No Birmingham proof experts?

What makes you say this is a Belgium gun? I see no indication in the proof marks of Belgium proofing.

All I know is what the dealer told me, thats why I'm curious. Its got Birmingham proof marks. What I've been told is that the gun or action was made in Belgium for the British Imperial market, then proofed in Birmingham, then sold in New Zealand (stamps from Kiwi store).

Chas,

Those are B-ham proofs and not a belgian mark in the bunch. That said- many barreled actions; in various states of finish, from "in the white" to fully engraved and harded, were shipped to the UK from belgium prior to any sort of proofing. From the looks of the barrel lumps, both piercing the bottom plate and scratched with classic belgian hash mark engraving,I'd agree with the dealer that this is a belgian gun proofed in birmingham. As far as shooting the gun goes; if it is in proof, sound, and has good barrel wall thickness you should be safe shooting ammuntion made to the CIP standards for 2 3/4" ammuniton. You can find the CIP mark on the shell box. US ammo is loaded to SAMMI standards and the pressures developed could be damaging to your gun.

Cheers,
Michael