Google Italian proof house date codes and you can find tables going back to 1945. Fancy flintlock Kentucky rifle with raised carv ing, 45 silver inlays; engraved C. Bird & Co., Phila., lock. 0000008370 00000 n 148 0 obj <> endobj to share our findings by this means of communication. French. It is also a good idea to have relevant documents when carrying a gun while traveling: Copies of your valid concealed carry permit (s) A copy of the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) Copies of 18 USC 926A code regarding interstate transportation of firearms. 0 It is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hall-marks, but the proof-marks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. Determine the maker's proof mark. referred to more commonly as "Proof Marks", American Firearms Makers: When, Where, and What They Made from the Colonial period to the End of the Nineteenth Century by A. Merwyn "Arsenal" or "Inspector Marks". 0000111269 00000 n Proof marks can be a very valuable aid to the forensic firearms investigator as they can give information as to the age, history and country of origin of a weapon. 0000003452 00000 n 12/7/2022, US Militaria Before sending it to the proof house he will check that the action and barrels are jointed properly, that the ribs are sound and that the bores havent grown in diameter beyond laid-down limits, through either constant firing or overzealous cleaning, or both. Heavy, home-made buffalo rifle, oak half stock with sowbelly butt. Marking on superposed, percussion Kentucky type rifle. 0000106738 00000 n 0000088591 00000 n To establish this rule, they constructed a proof house near the City of London. Make on a full curly maple stock, brass mounted, double set trigger, Kentucky type percussion rifle. This, however, no longer holds true as many weapons, for example, the Colt Single Action Army Model of 1873, are well over this age and can fire modern centre fire ammunition. 0000004839 00000 n 2014 CM Marking on a very early flintlock Kentucky rifle. 0000011853 00000 n These firearms are cottage industry type weapons without a specific brand name. Austrian arms were marked with the double eagle, and later with the letters Wn 78; a variety of private marks of manufacturers are also in use. Want to buy a single issue of Shooting Times, Sporting Gun or Airgun Shooter? Long, early Kentucky type flintlock smoothbore, Ashmore lock. smokeless powder proof for rifles The table below can be used to see if your gun was proofed in London or Birmingham. In the U.S., American made guns tend to be more desirable and more valuable than others, especially from the flintlock era. 2015 CN Lot# 4 - shipping. 2/3/2023, Mauser Pistol Military History Serial Numbers. Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks. Serial Numbers. 0000092657 00000 n European commercial proof houses. It may be possible to get your beloved side-by-side reproofed for steel shot for a modest sum, unless it has Damascus barrels. & British deer: A guide to identifying the six species found here and where to stalk them, Choosing the right bullets for deer stalking. You might also like to read how to steel proof a Spanish side-by-side. Another, script marking, with patchbox and many inlays. Gunmarks David Byron 8 Hardcover 16 offers from $24.68 Editorial Reviews From the Inside Flap GUN IDENTIFICATION AND REFERENCE GUIDE! Continue reading here: Brief History of Ammunition Introduction, Free 2nd Amendment Gun Rights Silver Coin, FREE Military Tough 6-in-1 Tactical Survival Knife, Green Beret Master Sergeant Home Security Checklist, Winning Plays Texted To Your Phone That Comes Directly From An Elite Team Of Sharps, Internal External and Terminal Ballistics, High Standard Pistols - Firearms identification, Drop In Auto Sear - AR15 to M16 Conversion, Urban Survival Secrets for Terrorist Attacks. Since 1995 a number presented in blocks of digits presents the information like this: The first two digits identify the maker (for instance, 16 is AYA, and 13 is Lanber). If you have rifles to store, finding a safe can be more difficult than if you have one or two handguns. below are samples of Proof Marks of different countries. For now, here are the date letter codes for the past 20 years: 1997 BI 10/25/2022 Some older foreign Proof date code table. Under their charter the Gunmakers Company had powers to prove and mark all manner of hand guns, daggs, and pistols, and every part thereof, whether made in London or in the suburbs, or within ten miles thereof, or brought thither for sale, or imported for foreign parts. 1750-1850 - Dueling pistols come into fashion . Proof Marks or "Proofs" as they are sometimes referred to have changed over time, therefore assisting in dating the arm. Marking on a Model 1795 musket lockplate. 0000004035 00000 n Basement The barrel pictured is a perfect example as it bears all of the Italian proof marks described. 0000136869 00000 n On one spesimen the patchbox lid is engraved "BERLIN" in script. 0000002668 00000 n Barrel marking of a flintlock Kentucky rifle of about 1800. 0000129535 00000 n be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the written permission of '. 0000037090 00000 n Measuring the bore diameter and chamber A. Proofmarks could be a story or a book themselves. Engraved on barrel of very early Kentucky or German rifle of Edward Marshall, who participated in the historic "Indian Walk" Pennsylvania land purchase of 1737. 2013 CL This is not to imply that American-made guns are unsafe, but rather the burden is on the makers themselves to ensure the end safety of the user. Proof 0000002272 00000 n It shouldnt be too much to ask all manufacturers to put the date of manufacture at the end of the serial number something like 11/17 to identify the month and year of manufacturer as November 2017, for instance? In these cases, the proof mark could prove to be the only method of accurately dating a weapon. Here's the inside story of what they found and how they're rebuilding an industry giant. marks tell the country of origin of the weapon. The proof mark should indicate the pressure of the loads used to test the revolver, as well as the date of manufacture. Walnut halfstock percussion rifle of indifferent workmanship. Longarms 0000003674 00000 n Penna. 1941 - 1945 2002BS To be sure, American-made shotguns are plenty strong, almost to a fault, and following proofing are stamped with the individual manufacturer's proofmark. C-96 (Broomhandle) Marlin Remington Ruger (& Factory Letters) Winchester U.S. Military Markings Gun Marks House Brands U.S. Spain depended for long upon the proof of individual armourers, and most Spanish barrels were marked with the stamp of the maker set in a square or oblong block under a crown. (Broomhandle). Bookmark Among the list of CIP member countries are states which, as far as we in the UK know, do not manufacture sporting firearms for the international market, so why do they bother with membership? Lockplate marking on locks marked "J. C. M. DAYTON" also locks on two rifles by J. 0000003880 00000 n 0000009076 00000 n 0000122300 00000 n After years of looking at and trying At one time, the situation was simple, with an antique being considered to be anything over 100 years old. Some older foreign manufactured firearms, such as pistols from Spain and Italy, will list a location, rather than a manufacturer. 12/7/2022, US Militaria 0000016749 00000 n European - especially English, French, German, and Italian - guns can also have good value. on barrel. Script marking on barrel of circa 1820 No. Army & Navy Percussion Double Action Revolvers. . Catalogs 12/7/2022, Foreign Militaria (Other) Initials to denote ownership by State of Connecticut. 0000003320 00000 n Russia Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian 1st and 2nd Model .44 Revolver. Fjestad. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. evaluating historically attributed firearms. Search Marking in script on Pennsylvania made Kentucky rifle. The Italian alphabet contains only 21 letters, there being no k, j, w, x, or y. Over-under percussion rifle and on a heavy barrel, Kentucky type flintlock match rifle. Items The letter "P" superimposed on the bottom. Mark indicates gauge prior to 1925, a 3-inch chamber, but after that year chamber length had to be indicated in inches. Modern pistols and revolvers are proved in their last stage of manufacture when complete with action and in firing order. Smith & Wesson's new M&P FPC is a compact, folding pistol-caliber carbine chambered in 9 mm Luger and designed to accept the company's M&P handgun magazines. 1776 - 1941 Following the sale of Remington Outdoor Company's assets in September 2020, Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition. 2001BP Surely it isnt too much to ask all of them to accept clear-language date marking, or is there a limit to just how far international co-operation will go? It seems that a proof stamp confirming that a military weapon conforms to an international safety standard can be a good sales point. Parisa cipher of E. and P. set back to back (as shown below). The third is a plain stamp, with the letters A.V.E. Decades of experience with handguns and holsters have given the author some excellent insights into the most popular designs. rifle with brass mounted, curly maple full stock and single trigger, back-action lock. Even 40mm UBGLs are proofed using a lead shot loaded projectile instead of High Explosive. 0000147394 00000 n 12/7/2022, Accessories & Parts Silver and coins! Generally, but not always, Belgian made guns will have a bit lower value ("ELG" proofmark indicates a Belgian made gun. B. Hixson. State of New Jersey marking for "State Property.". He was born in 1921 and later served as a navy corpsman in Japan and Korea. Golcher, Philadelphia, back action lock. An early percussion Kentucky rifle with hand hammered barrel marked in script, 16 silver inlays, long patch box with side plates shaped and engraved to represent snakes. 0000055241 00000 n Initials "O.M. Colt M1860 .44 and M1873 S.A. .45 Revolvers. Smith & Wesson New Model No.3 Turkish .44 Revolver 1875. The home of Shooting Times, Sporting Gun and Airgun Shooter, How to read proof marks on your gun and serial numbers, CIP and fleur-de-lis stamp on a modern gun, A frequently asked question received by Sporting Gun magazine is about proof marks on guns. Officials in the Italian proof house in Gardone Val Trompia, near Brescia, choose to miss out other letters, some for logical reasons (for instance, O and Q could easily be mistaken for zero) and others for no apparent reason (G and R, for instance). that we have found on this subject. Maker of a full curly maple stock percussion rifle. In the late 18th and early 19th Centuries letters J and I were interchanged rather freely in writing. A number of other countries have also established their own proof houses and by agreement at consular level, reciprocal arrangements have been made for their proof marks to be mutually accepted. cases. 0000115678 00000 n PROOF MARKS: BRITISH PROOF MARKS - ENGLAND, cont. Military Manuals Seen 0000010034 00000 n jh-@^z^gq}$g=@(M B{)C[ reference books that display proof marks and their meanings. time, therefore assisting in dating the arm. Completely updated and expanded, this new edition of The Official Guide to Gunmarks identifies manufacturers' marks that appear on American and foreign pistols, rifles, and shotguns. %%EOF Flintlock Kentucky rifle of good workmanship. In some cases this cipher is also preceded by the figures 16, and followed by a capital B., also surmounted by a crown. Probably abbreviation for one of the Pennsylvania Angstadt family. 0000113366 00000 n Italy and Spain both build date codes in the proof information stamped on their guns. (tr_WXvvL6Eu'}OI U-XY!A:Xnid~g,~:@ZP&kl$VsYA<5FTbf]0>okJ!wK9ae0 Lc#As;$'NS.7 5bUSGD}pzYVn5"I-6.K3obuGUQ,qe2F'.2sAI/.Dr\,:cyH=y39'vT-[ 6T or E.C. The second two digits identify the type of gun, and 03 indicates a shotgun. location, rather than a manufacturer. Proof Marks - Ballistics - Bev Fitchett's Guns Proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which Bev Fitchett's Guns Survival (current) FREE Military Tough 6-in-1 Tactical Survival Knife Free 2nd Amendment Gun Rights Silver Coin The barrel is marked under breech "C. H. D.". M1917 Enfield Parts Markings (from M1903.com) M1917 Enfield Sling Instructions M1 Garand Disassembly and Parts (from CivilianMarksmanship.com) Cartridges and Ammunition International Ammunition Association CartridgedCollectors.org Marking on the barrel of a Kentucky type, flint lock pistol with lock marked "C. E. Hardy & Co.". Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian 2nd and 3rd Model.44 Revolver. There are also a number of countries which have a separate military proofing system for service weapons. Birmingham did not establish its proof houses until 1813, and though another Act was passed in 1815 to strengthen the former, the laws were not stringent enough, and the Birmingham proof was not recognized as sound until much later, when the Act of 1855, still unsatisfactory, and the eventually satisfactory one of 1868, was passed. 0000067053 00000 n 3/1/2023, Collectors As the UK is a signatory of the International Proof Commission (CIP), it recognises the proof marks of every other member state. Permit to purchase required on all guns. Though not American gunmakers, listed as marking likely to be found on American made rifles. They are often found in combination with proof-marks, and still more frequently on unproved arms made in countries where no official proof was existent. Proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which it was designed. For various reasons, these have not been acceptable to the European commercial proof houses, and the weapons have to be fully proofed before they are legally saleable in those countries. Flintlock Kentucky rifles. xb``b``` @16 l-,8sh-[1%3*.\ M=S!b6B>&X=ME#e*U3\'VC~Aa1 &w"2))vttgh \4 Tb@Rj hd`@ )fc``T v`#l> ^1?Y,Zi;?I+OT)po=|:U:EK{ mg`r#w /r] HWMs8WLE ydljblj+-Q%xvn Tr @w|;-'.y':BRdiR4&I &Ml7!e6"G'&y~>mh2?/.^/Fhy9xamNvYNy2k3ZX(`BIFybVE2-p$d(IF *^bSCv.* bW2P5a)M'?5*VT"fEdv/}Y4tU=iaf6hj\3qRplj9l#~ Oe{'zp{BM ), The guns in question are usually around 20 years old and manufactured in Italy, Spain or Japan. The viewers mark was a capital V, also surmounted with a crown. Before quality control markings were changed in 1934-1936 . Lot# 1 - welcome, pleae read auction det. Generally, this calls for between 30 and 50% increase in pressure over the standard round of ammunition. 1637 - First use of firearms proof-marks. 0000004172 00000 n 0000014256 00000 n 0000087569 00000 n To the best of my knowledge there is only one American proof law, adopted in Massachusetts around 1804 (I've forgotten the exact date). Guns have to be proofed in Britain to be sold here. 0000042008 00000 n Marking of a curly maple, half-stock, octagon barrel, double set trigger percussion rifle numbered "No. The majority of marks will be found on the barrel flats, though early guns may have stamps on the tubes, under the forend. Cowboy & Old Western History Winner, Nippes & Co., Nippes, Daniel, and Steinman, John. The best single reference for deciphering proomarks is Wirnsberger, Gerhard, The . To subscribe to the magazine, visit NRA membership page here and select American Rifleman as your member magazine. 0000001623 00000 n 0000104236 00000 n Two letters at the end of the serial number indicate the year. Over the years, British proofmarks, both Birmingham and London, have changed as the Rules of Proof changed, and often the change in marks can be used to determine during what era a particular shotgun was made. Proof - The test-firing of a gun with an extra-heavy load, at an official establishment, to verify the safety of a gun, which is then marked with formal stamps showing, among other things, the loads for which it is intended. C-96 0000013830 00000 n 2/3/2023, Edged Weapons 0000074288 00000 n (Read more on buying a gun at auction.). 0000107556 00000 n 0000001896 00000 n 10 Best ways to Make Money on Social Media and not waste time. In use from 1868-1925, this mark was used to show a single final proof with loads designed for temporary or provisional proof. Prob ably same as J. G. H., percussion Kentucky rifles. A number of other countries have their own forms of proof, either in-house or centrally run. 0000059736 00000 n will normally provide the information needed to make a caliber California, Rifleman Q&A: Shotgun Proofmarks? 0000006511 00000 n Assess the proof mark. Possibly John Eberly, gunsmith under William Henry I, Lancaster, Pa., 1729-1786. 0000001540 00000 n 0000009920 00000 n Rifles & Musket Information. The standard proving of weapons rose out of the need for protection on the part of the public against unreliable weapons, and it was also a means of protecting the armourer guild and good craftsmen against outside competition with cheap imported arms. 0000102139 00000 n Originally evolved by the armourers themselves, the system of proof was in nearly every arms-producing country taken over by the Municipality or the State, who imposed a series of stringent by-laws and penalties on any who sought to evade the prescribed tests. Golcher lock. Look for a "P.08" marking on the side of the gun. Examine the shape of the gun. 12/7/2022, US Militaria Older double guns will primarily carry Belgian or British proofmarks. My Italian guns seem to be covered with proofmarksas do a couple old Belgian guns I havebut my American guns dont seem to have any. B. Reynolds barrel. Provisional proof is only for shotgun barrels in the early stages of manufacture. Converted factory lock, mother-of-pearl star in cheekpiece. Many old guns may have been re-proved once or more, often in a different proof house from the original one. Half-stock Kentucky rifle with long ramrod tube. The cartridges used, clearly marked Proof Loads and informally called Blue Pills in this country, are carefully controlled, and available only to firearm manufacturers.John M. Taylor. Mf+wwJcC] }oUA!o=}OWWAn7 to identify the manufacturer. Check for destructive test marks. When they were made, all British guns had to be subjected to proof testing (they still are) to ensure that they were fit for purpose. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information (Shotgun restoration where to get it done and what to spend. %%EOF PROOF MARKS - Comparing the proof marks on your gun to this chart may help you determine where and when your gun was made, including guns where no other markings are evident. In addition to Information, NRA the examiner in determining the caliber designation of a military Check the finish of the gun. Marking on a light, flintlock Kentucky rifle. 0000016641 00000 n in script on octagonal barrel. St. Etienne, in France, established its proof house in the reign of Francis I., at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Inspectors WWII German Codes & Markings GUN MARKINGS Please enter the markings you want to research and click the submit button. The table below can be used to see if your gun was proofed in London or Birmingham. In England, the London and Birmingham proof houses were established (in 1637 and 1813, respectively) by Royal Charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. 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Many British-made shotguns carry Birmingham proofmarks, with London proofing mainly found on top-of-the-line British shotguns. 1945 - Present At present, these include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. There are basically three types of proof: provisional proof, definitive proof and reproof. More importantly, everything it makes has the performance to match. Handguns From . 0000010481 00000 n The proof house marks and manufacturing code are stamped elsewhere on the gun. This is a feature unique to German Lugers. Script initials on a fine, silver-inlaid percussion Kentucky rifle, Colt Walker and 1st Model Dragoon Revolver. 222 0 obj <>stream 0000013204 00000 n What looks like "T. D." in old German script on a long flint lock Kentucky rifle, is "C. D." The initials of Christian Durr. Equally, the screw-cutting of a barrel for a sound moderator, the installation of new screw-in chokes and fitting a muzzle-brake require a re-proof. 2/6/2023, Handguns arsenal marks, you will find other marks or stampings. Lot# 3 - pick up location. weapon. 136 43 The majority of marks will be found on the barrel flats, though early guns may have stamps on the tubes, under the forend. To be sold legally, every cartridge firearm must bear valid proof marks. Initials stamped on barrel of German silver mounted half stock (originally fullstock?) Thomas Holdup Stevens, U. S. Inspector of Contract Arms (ship's cutlasses) in 1816 at the plant of Nathan Starr. 148 75 Marking on barrel of fine relief carved Kentucky rifle circa 1800-1810. VoEE&.i=Gjry&M9s PpIC9EeX 0000076880 00000 n 0000027315 00000 n Deer seasons in the UK. 0000008059 00000 n Percussion Kentucky rifles of fine workmanship. Curly maple, full stock, brass trim, percussion Kentucky rifle engraved "J.S.T." 0000143308 00000 n Lock by R. & W. C. Biddle. 0000014575 00000 n firearms. Early flintlock rifle of crude workmanship. 0000016002 00000 n Silver inlaid, cheekpiece, curly maple full stock, octagonal barrel, percussion Kentucky rifle. Period of 1810. A voluminous schedule of rules and scales of charge for the proof of various kinds of small arms is in existence, and the proof is the same at London and at Birmingham; though different proof marks are employed. (Shotgun restoration where to get it done and what to spend. source of Manufacturer Serial Numbers. 2017 CS. 0000004652 00000 n I have recently aquired a nice old single barrel shotgun, I think it is Spanish and can find various proof marks on the barrel. individual armorers and inspectors used their own unique stamps in some xref These two, and sometimes the makers private mark, may be found on many old weapons.