doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Proof Marks to Date a Shotgun

Piper , you are correct. The bore would have been plugged with a set size gauge ,if it entered passed 9" ,a gauge of the next size up would be used. If this did not enter passed 9" then the barrel would be marked at that size.So yes it would have been possible to have a barrel proofed at .719" but it in fact would have measured as .727". Gun makers would therefore try to bore as close to size as possible . The problem was highlighted with the impottation of guns like the Miroku in the 70's ,being metric size 18.4mm and 18.5mm [,724" & .728"]new guns that actualy measured .728" were stamped at .719" therfor being only .001" in proof.They then started to use an intermediate plug and marked to the next size up ,so it is possible to find Miroku's that are stampped at ,729" that actaly measure at .726".
With going metric they with increments of .004" .01mm bores are marked to the nearest lower size .
If you think you guys have problems with all this ,think how we feel ,we have had 6 changes to the rules ,marks and measurement since 1904.

Appologies over the spelling etc.I pressed submit instead of preview.I think it makes sense .

And here we thought you Brits did it just to confuse us Yanks.

WOW this is really interesting. I didn't know so much information was in those stamps until I started this thread. So to sum up, my gun was made sometime between 1904 and 1925 and then reproofed in 1982. It is in remarkable shape for a gun that is that old (although it could have been refinished sometime in its life.
Thanks for all your help.
Next question is what is its value. I think I paid around $400 for it plus shipping and import costs -- probably $600 total cost.
Alan

Value is hard to determine without additional photos, or at least a good description of condition.