doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Unknown proof mark on a W. & C. Scott gun

I've never seen the "arrow 0" mark on a shotgun (this is a Scott Reliance boxlock made in 1909). The arrow seems to be the Broad Arrow mark for military acceptance.
Can you help me, please?


(Edited to add the proof mark image)

P.S. Could it be a "10" with the "1" modified in a arrow? Why?

It does look like a straight unadorned bar punched for the '1'.
The two edges or tips of the arrowhead added on by graver.

Why?,,,don't know.

I do not believe the mark was put on at the proof house but later for some unknown reason.

Simple, it points to which end you load the cartridges in...Geo

I would be fairly sure (though happy to stand corrected if wrong) this is a UK military Broad Arrow symbol, depicting British Government owned equipment. The 0 probably refers to an inspector or is a viewing or acceptance mark.

The Broad Arrow is not always depicted as such, a mere arrow head shape, as in the W&C Scott's case, is frequently encountered.

If you dissect my brain you will find a broad arrow through it, from when I had 'the operation' during training at Sandhurst!

Tim

Could have been impressed into service to teach aerial gunnery, much the same as we did over here during the war. Could have also been for issue to the Home Guard.

Interesting none the less.

Over the years I have encountered several English guns with the military Broad arrow stamped on the barrels and action. One interesting example that I recall was an H&H paradox 12 G hammer circa 1900.This was a very plain gun. The consensus was that the gun had been acquired by a British Army unit likely stationed in some remote part of the Empire. The purpose being to provide sport/ fresh meat when a unit was in the field..

I believe what you may have had there Roy was a Paradox issued during WW1 to the newly formed Flying Corps. They were used against observation balloons and other dirigibles. The ammunition consisted of a ball and chain type contraption, the better to tear apart the fabric, I assume.

There is something about them in the Dallas H&H book, though I do not have it to hand.

Tim

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=180576&page=1
this maybe of interest