Can someone ID this proof?

Near 44 date..crown over ??, meaning..cant find it in Ians books
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...06187489-1.jpg

Possibly a badly stamped "Crown over B" Inspection Mark for BSA, Small Heath.

Who is the maker of the rifle? Is the 1944 date consistent with the rifle's serial number?
.

Yes, its 1944 BSA...T..Shirley though

I'd say that was an inspection mark rather than a Proof mark as well.

FWIW I'd agree with Buffdog & Beerhunter. It looks like a BSA examiners stamp to me. Because of the dramatic increases in production needed in both world wars instead of sending equipment (it didn't just apply to firearms, but all sorts of equipment produced on government contracts) to government examiners to be scrutinised & 'accepted' into service, the examiners were sent out to the major factories & worked there on site. This was just to streamline & speed up the production & acceptance cycle. One other notable example is the D6E stamp used by Mr Harry Hardwick at H&H on accepted No4T conversions (but I don't want to open another can of worms when someone pipes up that their early conversion lacks it!!!).

ATB