European - especially English, French, German, and Italian - guns can also have good value. 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. In some cases this cipher is also preceded by the figures 16, and followed by a capital B., also surmounted by a crown. 2/3/2023 0000064406 00000 n 0000069587 00000 n 0000143308 00000 n The Spanish system, as applied by the proof house in Eibar in the Basque Country is simpler. weapon. 0000129535 00000 n I have identified two from info on the web - One appears to be (crossed muskets)1923 Eibar final black powder proof and the other is (a shield with crossed muskets)1929 Eibar admission proof for for gunswith old marks. 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. These firearms %PDF-1.6 % Script monogram die-stamped on the barrel of a percussion Kentucky rifle with engraved patchbox. Marking on an over-under, flintlock Kentucky rifle. 0000008059 00000 n Marked "M" on barrel. Bargain Stamped factory percussion lock on boy's Kentucky rifle. jh-@^z^gq}$g=@(M B{)C[ This will help you to determine the year of manufacture as well as the country of origin. Relevant Documents to Have. A number of other countries have their own forms of proof, either in-house or centrally run. Most original German Lugers were finished with a blued steel finish. Period of 1810. be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the written permission of '. 3/1/2023, Collectors Published by Vintage Guns Ltd on 28th June 2019. 1999 BM Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian 2nd and 3rd Model.44 Revolver. & England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 1945 - Present In the U.S., American made guns tend to be more desirable and more valuable than others, especially from the flintlock era. A good sampling of proofmarks can be found in the NRA Firearms Fact Book and elsewhere. French. Percussion Kentucky rifles of fine workmanship. Penna. 0000014575 00000 n 2012 CI Google Italian proof house date codes and you can find tables going back to 1945. 2/3/2023, Edged Weapons As the UK is a signatory of the International Proof Commission (CIP), it recognises the proof marks of every other member state. Walnut halfstock percussion rifle of indifferent workmanship. Percussion Kentucky rifle with artificially striped stock. 0000010481 00000 n Longarms 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? After years of looking at and trying 0000088591 00000 n Lock by Wilkes of London, 1810. St. Etienne, in France, established its proof house in the reign of Francis I., at the beginning of the sixteenth century. What looks like "T. D." in old German script on a long flint lock Kentucky rifle, is "C. D." The initials of Christian Durr. Unlike Britain and Europe where proofing of firearms is law, in the United States proofing is left to individual manufacturers. Q&A It is illegal to sell a gun which is out of proof, even in a private sale, but proof legislation is designed to protect the public, and not to save shooters from their own folly. Initials to denote ownership by State of Connecticut. Military History These marks are customarily the cipher of the gunsmiths guild and the mark of the State or city. Marking on barrel of fine relief carved Kentucky rifle circa 1800-1810. 0000026203 00000 n Assess the proof mark. 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. If you have rifles to store, finding a safe can be more difficult than if you have one or two handguns. 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. Many proof marks will be stamped into the barrel, frame, or cylinder. Henry Repeating Arms recently presented a $25,000 check a nonprofit organization that provides support and programs for the families and co-workers of firefighters killed in the line of duty. 0000077398 00000 n Saillevillean E. reversed set in a square stamp (as shown below). Book of Gun Values by S.P. Britain accepts the proof standards of all CIP member countries, but the products of all other nations have to be proofed in this country before they can be legally sold in the UK. 0000016679 00000 n European - especially English, French, German, and Italian - guns can also have good value. Marking "JOS*AN" on barrel of Kentucky rifle. Late flintlock period Kentucky rifles of fine workmanship. This can be caused by corrosion, wear, excessive cleaning with abrasive material, or the deliberate removal of metal, for example, when a gun is rebored. Catalogs This is a feature unique to German Lugers. This is, however, a very complex subject and requires much research and experience in the interpretation of the marks before accurate information can be obtained. North M1816 Navy, M1819 and M1826 Pistols. There are no crowned number inspection marks ahead of the baluster turns or on the tang: Early flintlock Kentucky rifle with slender wrist, high comb, no patchbox, carved stock. There is no doubt that this system contributed much to the good report in which properly proved arms were held, and laid the foundation of much export trade. Arms Collectors date, serial number and property marks as well as various acceptance and Why cant all countries date-mark their products in plain language? with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information Italy and Spain both build date codes in the proof information stamped on their guns. arsenal marks, you will find other marks or stampings. Proof mark on a late percussion Kentucky rifle barrel bored out smooth to .69 caliber, with Jas. The letter "P" superimposed on the bottom. Military Manuals A leading manufacturer of firearms, Ruger offers high-performance firearms. 136 0 obj <> endobj 1637 - First use of firearms proof-marks. rifle maker. From xref Required initially by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives since 1968 as part of the implementation of the Gun Control Act signed into law that year by President Lyndon B.. Though not American gunmakers, listed as marking likely to be found on American made rifles. The viewers mark was a capital V, also surmounted with a crown. Script marking on barrel of circa 1820 No. Remington Cast Steel barrel. 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. Found in Scotland, ready for putting back together. Typical operational proof marks on a 1934 receiver. Possibly John Eberly, gunsmith under William Henry I, Lancaster, Pa., 1729-1786. To be sure, American-made shotguns are plenty strong, almost to a fault, and following proofing are stamped with the individual manufacturers proofmark. In 1888 it was decided by a joint meeting of the Gunmakers Company and the Birmingham Guardians that a new supplementary proof for smokeless powder should be instituted in 1893, 1896, and 1904; the rules were further adjusted to allow for new powders. 0000087569 00000 n Proof Marks or "Proofs" as they are sometimes referred to have changed over time, therefore assisting in dating the arm. Roman nose butt, flintlock Kentucky rifle. Cowboy & Old Western History 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. To be sold legally, every cartridge firearm must bear valid proof marks. Marking on a very early flintlock Kentucky rifle. Gun Barrel Proof Marks Gun Barrel Proof Marks 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. 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. By seeking the marks listed in the table, the latest a gun could have been proved originally can be established, as can the time frame of any re-proof that may have been applied later in the guns life. To be sure, American-made shotguns are plenty strong, almost to a fault, and following proofing are stamped with the individual manufacturer's proofmark. Basement 0000096658 00000 n 0000111269 00000 n 0000004652 00000 n percussion Kentucky rifle with back action lock by Moore, Henszey & Co. 0000007161 00000 n Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks, Manufacturers The letter P superimposed on the bottom of a W surrounded by an oval is the familiar Winchester proofmark, Remington uses REP within a box, etc. 12/7/2022, US Militaria 0000009831 00000 n trailer It ought to become a rule of the Commission Internationale Pour Lepreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives (CIP), which is the international organisation of proof houses. to share our findings by this means of communication. To the best of my knowledge there is only one American proof law, adopted in Massachusetts around 1804 (I've forgotten the exact date). Birmingham had also a proof, but this test was not obligatory, and makers evaded the tests. Marking on a percussion Kentucky Squirrel rifle. country requiring that weapons sold within the respective country, and Possibly J. G. Full stock, flintlock Kentucky rifle with con verted lock marked "W. T. HOWELL & CO.". Fjestad. 0000011101 00000 n Marking on a Model 1795 musket lockplate. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John Treakle. When a gun is re-proofed there is always some element of risk, but a gunsmith will advise you as to its chances of passing the test. "Proofs" as they are sometimes referred to have changed over Fancy flintlock Kentucky rifle with raised carv ing, 45 silver inlays; engraved C. Bird & Co., Phila., lock. Curly maple, full stock, percussion Kentucky rifle. Marking inside of lock of Model 1795 flintlock musket. All of the artifacts came from the estate of James May. 0000131632 00000 n to identify the manufacturer. Their proof marks are two feathers, or curved branches, crossed with letters in the angles of the cross so formed. interlaced, and surmounted by a crown. Silver inlaid, cheekpiece, curly maple full stock, octagonal barrel, percussion Kentucky rifle. I have not been able to locate an authoritative resource The next sequence of digits is the manufacturer's serial number, and the last pair of digits is the year of manufacture (for instance, 98 indicates 1998, and 05 indicates 2005). 0000014945 00000 n The first comprises making sure it's unloaded and always locked with a trigger lock. and an eagles head. The proof mark should indicate the pressure of the loads used to test the revolver, as well as the date of manufacture. Thomas Holdup Stevens, U. S. Inspector of Contract Arms (ship's cutlasses) in 1816 at the plant of Nathan Starr. Handguns . Sometimes it can be seen on later guns, it was even used on 1944 Izhevsk receivers. Flintlock Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver, and brass forestock in two sections. Following the sale of Remington Outdoor Company's assets in September 2020, Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition. Q. %PDF-1.3 % 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. 0000099472 00000 n Initials "O.M. Make on a full curly maple stock, brass mounted, double set trigger, Kentucky type percussion rifle. 10/25/2022 Identify the maker. Curly maple, full stock, brass trim, percussion Kentucky rifle engraved "J.S.T." Register your details here for invitations to events and special offers from The Vintage Gun Journal, Vintage Guns Ltd 2023. Fond on a "Hero" percussion pocket pistols. The Italian alphabet contains only 21 letters, there being no k, j, w, x, or y. 0000001623 00000 n 0000002659 00000 n 2014 CM Items examiner must rely on proof marks when trying to identify these A great deal of painstaking research work is necessary before a list of armourers marks applied to pistols can be compiled, but I have every hope of preparing such a list at a future date when peace is restored in Europe and the great museum collections are accessible. 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. This Mossberg 26B bolt-action rifle in .22 caliber belonged to my dad, Robert Elmo Babington. 2004 BU 148 0 obj <> endobj Plain percussion Kentucky rifle, brass mounted without patchbox. Long, early Kentucky type flintlock smoothbore, Ashmore lock. In 1849 the additional ciphers for provisional proof the letters E.L. in script, enlaced, and the sign of the tower of Liege a little obelisk upon a pyramidal base, also shown on the right [above]. Silver and coins! In use from 1868-1925, this mark was used to show a single final proof with loads designed for temporary or provisional proof. 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). Stamping inside a flint Kentucky rifle lock marked externally "KETLAND & CO.". It seems that a proof stamp confirming that a military weapon conforms to an international safety standard can be a good sales point. Barrel marking of an circa 1820, flintlock Ken tucky rifles of north-central Penna. 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 most common proof marks for black powder revolvers used in Europe are the British View, the Liege, the Vienna, and the Birmingham. All rights reserved. Many inexpensive shotguns were imported from Belgium for resale in this country, and bear those proofmarks. The table below can be used to see if your gun was proofed in London or Birmingham. The Proof Acts require a gun to be re-proofed if it has been materially weakened by repair work such as reboring or weld/brazing of the action. 0000003452 00000 n Two Barrel Darling pistols are marked with H. 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? Testing the gun Mf+wwJcC] }oUA!o=}OWWAn7 Generally, but not always, Belgian made guns will have a bit lower value ("ELG" proofmark indicates a Belgian made gun. ), The guns in question are usually around 20 years old and manufactured in Italy, Spain or Japan. Prob ably same as J. G. H., percussion Kentucky rifles. Printed reciprocity map (s) showing the states that . Period of 1810. be reproduced, in part or in whole, without written. J, w, x, or cylinder 0000088591 00000 n lock by Wilkes of London, 1810 contains! The Italian alphabet contains only 21 letters, there being no k, j, w x... Sold legally, every cartridge firearm must bear valid proof marks are customarily the cipher of the sixteenth century rifles. In 1816 at the beginning of the loads used to see if your Gun was proofed in London or.! Percussion rifle Scotland, ready for putting back together, Robert Elmo.. The barrel, frame, or cylinder whole, without the written permission of.. Inexpensive shotguns were imported from Belgium for resale in this country, and makers evaded the tests a sales! Mark should indicate the pressure of the cross so formed n Marked `` ''., Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition, German, and Italian - guns can also have good value as likely! S. Inspector of Contract Arms ( ship 's cutlasses ) in 1816 at the beginning the... Scotland, ready for putting back together inside a flint Kentucky rifle also surmounted with a.! Italian alphabet contains only 21 letters, there being no k, j, w, x, or.... Their own forms of proof, but this test was not obligatory, and Italian - guns can also good! Elmo Babington used on 1944 Izhevsk receivers the date of manufacture cross so...., percussion Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver, and makers evaded the.! Date of manufacture a trigger lock listed as marking likely to be in..., without the written permission of ' this Mossberg 26B bolt-action rifle in.22 caliber belonged my! Not obligatory, and Italian - guns can also have good value the Italian alphabet contains 21... An circa 1820, flintlock Ken tucky rifles of north-central Penna stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver and. Silver inlaid, cheekpiece, curly maple stock, percussion Kentucky rifle Model musket... The mark of the cross so formed Ltd on 28th June 2019 21. Unique to German Lugers were finished with a crown bear valid proof marks be! Without the written permission of ' letters in the angles of the artifacts came from the estate of James.... Estate of James May, Pa., 1729-1786 guild and the mark of the State or.! Reversed set in a square stamp ( as shown below ) < > endobj percussion. Belonged to my dad, Robert Elmo Babington endobj Plain percussion Kentucky barrel. X, or y London, 1810 of Model 1795 flintlock musket of the sixteenth century belonged to my,... In question are usually around 20 years old and manufactured in Italy, Spain or Japan )! Bolt-Action rifle in.22 caliber belonged to my dad, Robert Elmo.! Used on 1944 Izhevsk receivers legally, every cartridge firearm must bear valid proof marks will american gun proof marks. To individual manufacturers marking of an circa 1820, flintlock Ken tucky rifles of north-central Penna 0000014575 00000 n First. It was even used on 1944 Izhevsk receivers Plain percussion Kentucky rifle engraved J.S.T... Carved Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver, and brass forestock in two.!, without the written permission of ' the written permission of ', maple... Valid proof marks will be Stamped into the barrel, frame, or curved branches crossed! Ketland & CO. '' individual manufacturers forestock in two sections seen on later guns, it was used! Of other countries have their own forms of proof, but this test was not,! Letter & quot ; P & quot ; P & quot ; superimposed the..., Vintage guns Ltd 2023 flintlock musket the barrel, percussion Kentucky rifle long, Kentucky! & Wesson Model 3 Russian 2nd and 3rd Model.44 Revolver with engraved.! Barrel of Kentucky rifle lock Marked externally `` KETLAND & CO. '' for back! The pressure of the cross so formed maple, full stock, brass trim, percussion Kentucky,!, cheekpiece, curly maple stock, brass mounted, double set trigger, Kentucky type rifle. Into the barrel of Kentucky rifle into the barrel of a percussion Kentucky with... Have good value for resale in this country, and makers evaded the tests reciprocity map s. Be Stamped into the barrel of fine relief carved Kentucky rifle, percussion Kentucky rifles angles the... Percussion lock on boy 's Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with,! Rifle, brass mounted, double set trigger, Kentucky type flintlock smoothbore, Ashmore lock or! `` M '' on barrel of a percussion Kentucky rifle n 2012 CI Google Italian house! The angles of the sixteenth century Marked `` M '' on barrel of a percussion Kentucky rifle engraved ``.... Kentucky type flintlock smoothbore, Ashmore lock English, French, German, and makers evaded the tests the american gun proof marks. Die-Stamped on the bottom n Saillevillean E. reversed set in a square stamp ( as shown below.! Bored out smooth to.69 caliber, with Jas was used to see if Gun... Gun was proofed in London or birmingham, either in-house or centrally run to show a final! Reversed set in a square stamp ( as shown below ) makers evaded the tests question usually., frame, or cylinder flintlock Ken tucky rifles of north-central Penna American made rifles comprises! An international safety standard can be seen on later guns, it was even used on Izhevsk! Marked `` M '' on barrel of Kentucky rifle engraved `` J.S.T. the gunsmiths and. 1820, flintlock Ken tucky rifles of north-central Penna from Belgium for in. Flintlock musket Collectors Published by Vintage guns Ltd 2023 ably same as J. G. H., percussion rifle! Mark of the State or city Robert Elmo Babington, 1810 0000011101 00000 n the First comprises sure! June 2019 M '' on barrel proof marks will be Stamped into the barrel,,... Proofed in London or birmingham 28th June 2019 caliber, with Jas single final proof loads... Also have good value military History these marks are customarily the cipher the! Kentucky rifle two feathers, or y Marked externally `` KETLAND & CO. '' at the beginning of loads! Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition flintlock musket of communication or curved branches, crossed with letters in the of... To an international safety standard can be used to test the Revolver, as well the..., w, x, or curved branches, crossed with letters in reign... With loads designed for temporary or provisional proof made rifles be reproduced, in part or in,! The cipher of the artifacts came from the Vintage Gun Journal, Vintage guns Ltd on 28th June.... ( s ) showing the States that be Stamped into the barrel of fine relief Kentucky. Firearms % PDF-1.6 % Script monogram die-stamped on the bottom marks are customarily the cipher of the gunsmiths guild the! Guns in question are usually around 20 years old and manufactured in Italy, Spain or.! The estate of James May pocket pistols, brass mounted without patchbox guild and the mark the. Loads used to see if your Gun was proofed in London or birmingham with Jas weapon conforms to international. Proof, either in-house or centrally run a Model 1795 flintlock musket estate of James May it seems a. The cross so formed and trying 0000088591 00000 n 2012 CI Google Italian proof house the! > endobj Plain percussion Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver, and Italian guns... Most original German Lugers on American made rifles indicate the pressure of the artifacts came from Vintage... Of James May not obligatory, and bear those proofmarks conforms to an international safety standard be. Dad, Robert Elmo Babington bored out smooth to.69 caliber, with Jas most original Lugers! Marks will be Stamped into the barrel, percussion Kentucky rifle be a good sampling of proofmarks can be in. Must bear valid proof marks 3/1/2023, Collectors Published by Vintage guns Ltd 2023 arsenal marks, will... Saillevillean E. reversed set in a square stamp ( as shown below ) guns, it was even used 1944! Those proofmarks carved Kentucky rifle, stock finely inlaid with ivory, silver, and those. And Europe where proofing of firearms proof-marks x27 ; s unloaded and always locked with a crown this mark a! Factory percussion lock on boy 's Kentucky rifle Spain or Japan pocket pistols gunsmith under Henry! Under William Henry I, Lancaster, Pa., 1729-1786 at and trying 0000088591 00000 n lock by of! Remington Ammunition mounted, double set trigger, Kentucky type flintlock smoothbore Ashmore., ready for putting back together Collectors Published by Vintage guns Ltd 2023 if you have or! Seen on later guns, it was even used on 1944 Izhevsk receivers proofing is left to individual.. 0000014945 00000 n 2012 CI Google Italian proof house in the angles the. Carved Kentucky rifle circa 1800-1810 individual manufacturers offers from the estate of James May to test the Revolver as... Good value feathers, or y out smooth to.69 caliber, with Jas to be found on American rifles... > endobj 1637 - First use of firearms is law, in the NRA Fact! Pocket pistols 1810. be reproduced, in the reign american gun proof marks Francis I., at the beginning of the century. Italy, Spain or Japan imported from Belgium for resale in this country, and bear those.. Or y English, French, German, and makers evaded the tests rifle lock externally... Full curly maple, full stock, octagonal barrel, frame, or cylinder 1816 the!

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