Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3 dimensional appearance that requires the onlooker. A proof round is an ammunition assembly designed to be used in proof testing. Oct 22, 2012 there are photos of rifles and proof marks. 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 in england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun since 1950 e.
Mb date code on german m98 rifles with swv marks signifying that it was made in late 1944 early 1945. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information. Proof marks are usually found on the underside of the barrels, and if a gun has german proof marks and was made in 1892 or later, you know that the gun was proof tested in germany. The proof stamps are all on the left side of this gun. Once this obligation is fulfilled, the czech arms and ammunition proofing authority will affix its proofmark. These marks are customarily the cipher of the gunsmiths guild and the mark of the state or city. An individual proof test may apply only to the unit tested, or to its design in general for massproduced items. Vienna provisional proof for multi barrel guns since 1891. Proof marks ballistics bev fitchetts guns magazine. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. Pre1850 european firearms oftentimes do not exhibit any commercial proof marks and, with the exception of an occasional barrel address, they represent the.
The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print 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. Brimingham proof marks the firearms forum the buying. The present law on the subject is to be found in the gun barrel proof acts 1868, 1950 and 1978 and various rules of proof, but particularly those of 1925, 1954, 1986 and 2006 when the metric system of measurement was introduced. Officially, these markings are known as proof marks or proof stamps. A single letter, either roman or greek, upper or lower case, underlined or not. The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print it is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hallmarks, but the proofmarks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. Heres a nice murky photo of a royalmarked gun, an early selectfire version. Swedish mauser markings mississippi gun owners community.
Information courtesy of the blue book of gun values by s. The proof triad is barely visible in the same location as on the semiauto etai. Under authority of the gun barrel proof acts, 1868, 1950a and 1978. Sample photos of their layouts are at the bottom of the page. It is interesting in that the wrist of the stock indicates it was refinished and rebarreled 4 times and refinished an additional two times, without rebarreling. Intended to help guarantee the quality of firearms produced in each nation, proof laws laid.
On the other hand, you do walk in with something to sell and walk out with cash. For corroboration, crossreference with the proof house controllers mark. In many jurisdictions a proof test and valid proof mark are required for the sale of firearms. The proof master the gun barrel proof house banbury street birmingham b5 5rh united kingdom. Markings on japanese arisaka rifles and bayonets of world war ii the japanese manufactured over 6. British made gun proof marks northwest firearms oregon. Proof markscomparing 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. Oct 02, 20 the simple fact is that import marks decrease the value of a gun.
Rules, regulations and scales of proof made or altered under section 117 of the principal act measurements whether length, area, volume, mass or weight may be expressed in imperial or in metric units, where internationally. Proof masters in london and birmingham can be contacted at the addresses below. Most of these rifles were still in use during the sinojapanese war of the 1930s and the pacific war of the 1940s. This is a recording of a workshop given at the 2014 afte association of firearm and toolmark examiners conference in seattle, on the subject of proof marks and other. I am new in this forum, i have a shotgun eigebarspain, 410 gauge 3chamber, with 3 marks, one is spanish option smoke less 1931, spanish addmission proof for eibar since 1931, and spanish definitive black p.
Rules, regulations and scales, birmingham proof house. German, suhl 1st black powder proof for smooth bored barrels since 1950 e. Oct 01, 1971 proof marks proof marks pdf free download. Markings on japanese arisaka rifles and bayonets of world war ii. The proof and testing of firearms birmingham gun barrel. Proof marks can be a very valuable aid to the forensic firearms investigator as. So no english proof marks does not necessarily mean that that a gun has not been through proof in england.
Welcome thank you for visiting our online listing of manufacturers identifying marks, referred to more commonly as proof marks, arsenal or inspector marks. The proof master the proof house 48 commercial road london e1 1lp united kingdom. 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. The royal prussian rifle factory was established on the river havel at potsdam in 1722 by frederick william i of prussia. Part v proof marks used by the british proof authorities 14 20. Proof marks, date codes, and german firearms international. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun 18681925 london definitive special super power proof for parabellum pistols 18681925 birmingham voluntary special black powder proof. Reproof is the similar testing of a small arm which has previously been proved. For example, this means that a gun with belgian proof marks can be sold in the uk without being reproofed because belgium is a cip member. A proof test is a form of stress test to demonstrate the fitness of a loadbearing structure. Need help with proof marks british militaria forums.
The proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service. Proof is the compulsory and statutory testing of every new shotgun or other small arm before sale to ensure, so far as it is practicable, its safety in the hands of the user. Old musket identification the firearms forum the buying. In england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. The proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no other. It does not cover freefall bombs, which are not considered to be ammunition.
Moder modern black powder prn black powder proofmarksoofmarks. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information that we have found on this subject. Apr 12, 2020 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. The barrel pictured is a perfect example as it bears all of the italian proof marks described. Reasons for gun barrel proof gun barrel proof, or proof testing of firearms and the ammunition that is used in them is compulsory in the uk. Proof marks ballistics bev fitchett s guns magazine. Proof the testfiring of a gun with an extraheavy 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. But that said you can not get some guns without one. The proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no other markings are evident.
I think the proof marks are those mentioned in my previous post as being applied compulsorily to already existing arms with the introduction of the first german proof laws in 1891. It is also marked rfv104 reichs finanz verwaltung 104, is this the german finance ministry from the weimar republic. It was brought about by reputable gun makers in order to establish the safety and integrity of the firearms concerned, thus giving protection to the user and establishing a quality standard. Since my gun is in the 100xxx serial range, does this mean this gun was an export or a war reparations gun. Markings on japanese arisaka rifles and bayonets of world. Whether operated by manual or purely mechanical means, each cartridge in. Alteration to or the forging of proof marks is a more serious offence. Army and other security corps are reported to the police. The facility was leased to private manufacturers until machinery was moved upstream to the confluence with river spree in the westernmost berlin borough of spandau about 1850. Firearms date of manufacturemanualsproof marks the. The proof house marks and manufacturing code are stamped elsewhere on the gun. Search and free download all ebooks, handbook, textbook, user guide pdf files on the internet quickly and easily.
Proof testing is nominally a nondestructive test, particularly if both. Such a structure is often subjected to loads above that expected in actual use, demonstrating safety and design margin. Rules, regulations and scales applicable to the proof of small arms. Membership is free and we welcome all types of shooters, whether youre a novice or a pro. Both necessarily involve the firing through the barrel of a considerably heavier load than. The cz52 would be hard to find with out import marks. This is from a deluxe engraved pedersoli le page pistol, and all of the stampings are on the underside of the barrel. Early arsenal operations were east of the spandau citadel, but the arsenal later expanded into the. Proof marks are the official stamps or ciphers showing that a barrel has been properly tested with the prescribed excess charges of powder and ball that allow a large factor of safety to the user. Though it became, and remains for most english speakers, synonymous with gun, a firearm can more properly be considered to be a manportable gun ares, 2016a.
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. Dec 15, 2017 as the uk is a signatory of the international proof commission cip, it recognises the proof marks of every other member state. This is the portion of a long gun 22word firearm was originally coined in the medieval period and referred to any weapon mak the ing use of fire for destructive effect. Rules, regulations and scales, birmingham gun barrel proof. Belgian proof marks made easy the doublegun bbs doublegunshop com. The manufacturer affixes his marks during the production process, as a rule before the final assembly. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3. Dealers and collectors who dabble in reselling typically view such walkups as easy marks and lowball their offer prices. Proof marks can be used to trace weapons or components to certain countries. Gun barrel and receiver codes, markings and proof marks. This is no assurance however, that all components of the guns where made in germany, the gun making center in liege in belgium was known for the good quality of. That would be consistent with the serial number of this gun, 127 maybe, which would make us suspect that she was made in 1928. It was brought about by reputable gun makers in order to establish the safety and integrity of the firearms concerned, thus.
Once this obligation is fulfilled, the czech arms and ammunition proofing authority will affix its proof mark. Standard directory of proof marks pdf standard directory of proof marks g. The worst way is to walk into a gun show and offer it to someone. When most people think of guns, they are thinking of small arms. Amongst proof marks are codes enabling one to determine the date of manufacture of many guns. Apr 18, 2008 the barrel housing is marked with the crown over np, again from london, as a proof for smokeless powder. The proof laws of 1868 was the hardest one in europe at that time. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b.
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