English Proof Marks
London
Birmingham
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Preliminary black
powder proof mark
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Final black powder
proof mark for use with nitro powder. The same mark was also
used for the final proofs with black powder for smoothbore
muzzleloader barrels.
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Inspector or
"View" mark which was applied after final proof.
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Applied only to
barrels of rifled military arms that had passed nitro
proofing.
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Semi-smokeless proof
of all guns.
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Voluntary special
proof testing with extra heavy loads. This mark appears with
the standard marks and standard load marks for the caliber.
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Re-proof mark, seen on
black powder rifles which had been proofed with nitro powders.
These guns will also have the "NP" mark. Seen on
repaired guns that required re=proofing.
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New rule called for
marking of gauge along with shell length for smoothbore
barrels.
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For rifled barrels,
bore diameter and case length must be marked.
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All foreign barrels
and complete guns not bearing proof marks acceptable by
British Proofing Houses must undergo testing and are then
marked with the standard proof marks in a heavy circle. "NOT
ENGLISH MAKE"
will be stamped with letters being light on a dark background.
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The Gun Barrel Proof
Act of 1950 announced henceforth all chrome-plated barrels or
otherwise treated should be considered un-proofed, therefore
will have to be proofed. The new Act also made several changes
to the Gun Barrel Proof Act of 1868 that had been ignored for
sometime. See listing below as the rules apply.
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British
Proof Marks 1868 to date.
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Temporary proof mark
used since 1856.
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These are the final
black powder proof marks. The London mark was in use since
1672 in this or similar form. The Birmingham mark was valid
from 1813-1904. Since 1925 the London mark was used on
semi-smokeless as final proofs for shotguns with the
"NP" mark in conjunction.
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Inspection mark,
London - since 1672. Birmingham - since 1812-1904.
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Final black powder
proof, Birmingham
1904-1925. Then used with
"NP" mark for rifles proofed with nitro or
semi-smokeless powders.
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Birmingham
inspection mark used since
1904.
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In use from 1868-1925,
this mark was used to show a single final proof with loads
designed for temporary or provisional proof.
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Semi-smokeless proof
for all guns in use since 1904.
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Mark indicates gauge
prior to 1925, a 3-inch chamber, but after that year chamber
length had to be indicated in inches.
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Mark indicates gauge
in used since
1925, and shows that the chamber
is longer than 3-inches.
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These are the proof
marks used for choked-bored barrels between the years
1875-1887.
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These
marks where used for
choked-bored barrels between the years 1887-1904. Since 1904 the word
CHOKE was added. If the choke is 0.008 inch or more, marking is obligatory;
if less it is voluntary.
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Designated for Express
rifle barrels in use from 1878-1904.
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© Copyright 2009
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