Greetings.
I recently purchased a beautiful side-by-side Bayard Original Diana, and I have been trying to find out when it was made. I have looked over the proofs on the barrel using
damascus-barrels.com link. I see from a few prior posts, that there are some experts on Pieper/Bayard here, and I am hoping that someone can help me out.
As far as I can tell, it has no datecode, which should put it prior to 1922.
It has two controller of proof marks, *A and *M.
*A would put it between 1911 and 1940.
*M would put it between 1923 and 1952, but then I should have found a or b as datecode.
It has multiple Perron [1] markings.
I see that both barrels are black power proofed [13]
Both barrels are 12 gauge black powder proofed [24] (1898-1924)
Both barrels are nitro/smokeless proofed [19]
The chamber dimensions in mm are marked (75/20.6) [17] (1892-1924)
The barrels choked appear to be in the [28]format which would put it between 1910 and 1924.
Finally the weight markins put it prior to 1925
So somewhere between 1910 and 1924 is my current conclusion. Is there anyone who can shed some additional insight/help to allow me to find a bit more precise year?
I thank you for any help or responce in advance.
Pictures below:
