Any firearm sold commercially had to go through one of the british proof houses london or birmingham. The crown over bp mark is the definitive proof mark for a completed gun, and the crown over np mark and words nitro proof tell you that the gun has passed nitro proof. Pistols that received british proofs prior to being disposed of in the 1950s, should have matching proofs on the slide, receiver frame, and barrel. Normally plaved between viewmark and definitive proof mark. This type of lmg is referred to in british military service as a light support. May be together with private makers marks and stamps.
When it comes to proof marks, something not shown in the books always shows. Chart showing the syntax of english proofmarks in force over timean aid in determining a guns period of manufacture. Ordnance guns were proved in the tower proof house on tower wharf but. Modermodern black powder prn black powder proofmarksoofmarks unraveling the mystery of iconsy of icons these are the three standard stampings on every italianmade black powder revolver, pistol, rifle and. Mark x tradename on rifles imported by interarms on arms made by zavodi crvena zastava of belgrade. 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. All proofreading marks show up in the comments list and can be checked off when taken in, as shown below. 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. Pdf proofreading marks are a great complement to annotationscomments in adobe acrobat.
The british standards institutions proof correction marks are recognised throughout britain and increasingly around the world. Bsi marks for copy preparation and proof correction. The majority of marks will be found on the barrel flats, though early guns may have stamps on the tubes, under the forend. On the boss of the underside left barrel is a crown over p, a seperate number l6204, and just off the boss on the barrel is the number 25. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a series of identification guides for small arms. 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. The prime reference is list of changes in british war material, the monthly issues reprinted in 5 vols. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3 dimensional appearance that requires the onlooker. In bs5261, each mark in the text is explained by a mark.
This is indicated by a fleurdelis mark on the gun and the words steel shot. While it is marked united states property, it has a small stamp that says it is not english make or made. Why reinvent the wheel when you can use something tried and true. Steindler has a lot of material, if you have the fortitude and energy to dig it out.
Marks come in two varieties, abbreviations and abstract symbols. By arrangement with the bsi, the ciep can now supply copies of its standard for proof correction marks. 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. Proofreading marks, also known as proofreading symbols and most frequently referred to as those crazy, arcane little squiggly things pedantic, meddling proofreaders cover everything in are often viewed as something of a holdover from another age. P member countries must demand from the manufacturers of these arms. However, as the us has no federated proof system and american makers conduct their own proof tests, us guns must be proofed on arrival in the uk, because the us is not a cip member. Rules, regulations and scales, birmingham proof house. The proof master the proof house 48 commercial road london e1 1lp united kingdom. 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 the drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. The benefit of using pdf proofreading marks is that you. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun since 1856 london provisional proof for barrels since 1856 birmingham provisional proof for barrels since 1637 london definitive black powder proof for shotguns,muzzle loader barrels. The crossed swords mark seems to have a b in both the left and right angles which indicates. A proof test is a form of stress test to demonstrate the fitness of a loadbearing structure.
Other marks used by the british proof authorities 45. When they were made, all british guns had to be subjected to proof testing they still are to ensure that they were fit for. This article is a list of standard proofreaders marks used to indicate and correct problems in a text. Unless they were marked with the british broadarrow property mark, they were not marked at all until they were released by the government for commercial sale. Information courtesy of the blue book of gun values by s. These are usually handwritten on the paper containing the text. British proofing process in london or birmingham and bear proof marks on the barrels r. Welcome thank you for visiting our online listing of manufacturers identifying marks, referred to more commonly as proof marks, arsenal or inspector marks. There is a mark in the margin, along with specific details about the change that should be made, and a mark in the text showing where those instructions should be implemented.
Proof correction marks based on bs 5261 part 2 instruction textual mark margin mark comment no corrections on this page none mark indicates that the page has been looked at. A good case in point is all the firearms lendleased to england. Before you export your text edits, make sure that insertion comments use the exact text, including spaces and paragraph returns, that you want to add. F the rules, regulations and scales now in force under the principal act are the rules, regulations and scales which were approved by. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b. Traditional editorial markup with pdf proofreading marks. Proofreading marks proofreading symbols a handy guide. The tons mark which is service pressure was not used until 1954. Remove unwanted marks under no circumstances may be applied. The full set of proofreading marks is defined by british standard bs 5261 and further information can be obtained from the bsi. There are british proof marks on the front of the barrel. The gun trade association advice sheet on the use of lead gwct. Part v proof marks used by the british proof authorities 14 20. I have a us army model 1917 with british proof marks.
An extensive selection of english silver assay marks of the 18th, 19th, and 20th century. Pdf proofreading marks allow you to use traditional editorial marks in a digital workflow. However, proofreading marks are an essential part of every serious proofreaders toolbox. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945. To use this feature, you must use pdfmaker in word to create the pdf.
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. It generally takes the form of a stamp that makes an impression in the metal. P proof marks but which have not been marked with the appropriate bore dimension. All parts shown in sellers pictures are sa and appear to be correct time period for serial number except for the winchester trigger guard assembly. The british proof authority recommend less than half choke 0. Proofreading marks and symbols although a significant amount of editing and proofreading is now done using tools such as microsofts track changes feature and adobes commenting tool, you may find yourself faced with traditional proofreading marks and symbols on a printed document someday. Illustrated firearms dictionary is for informational purposes only.
In acrobat for windows, you can export text edits directly to the microsoft word document that the pdf is based on to revise the source document. 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. 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 identifying marks on. The british proof authority is aware that a number of smoothbore arms have already been imported from c.
Proof masters in london and birmingham can be contacted at the addresses below. For example, has the same tool been used for typesetter instructions and textual changes. The proof house marks and manufacturing code are stamped elsewhere on the gun. Britain has used two commonly found sets of proof marks. Leave unchanged stet intercolor consortium often added to cancel an instruction wrongly requested. Proof mark dates for british guns vintage guns home. The proof master the gun barrel proof house banbury street birmingham b5 5rh 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. For ww2 production, british small arms of world war 2 lists makers and codes on small arms, edged weapons, mgs. Proof marks shield with a c over p early lithgow crown over crossed flags with l over p lithgow.
A proof mark is a mark specific to the manufacturer, importer, or testing facility that is performing the test. Chart showing the syntax of english proofmarks in force over timean aid in. Since proof marks are unique and nearly universal, they are often used to identify the origins of firearms that lack normal manufacturers. Leonardo antaris, astra automatic pistols, has some good, though incomplete, material on spanish proofs.