British proofed 3-42 on GB

[Joe W]

I don't see a broad-arrow property mark, and the Crown/BNP is normally a blob on the bolt and receiver. I don't think there is a shot of the front of the receiver.

Looks to be a BROAD ARROW withen quotes just forward of the rear gas cylinder ring. Last stamp in string right after the square inch symbol.

[EdG]

Joe,
That mark appears to be the crossed scepters or pennants or swords seen in the Birmingham proofs.
The date code in the left angle looks to be K indicating 1959?
Thanks for posting.

I wonder, too, if that lock bar is a real type 1.

[Johnny Peppers]

Here is the same crossed sceptre as described by EdG, except left figure appear to be an I. Supposedly the I was not used, but it shows up on a regular basis. This is the post 1954 proof.



Added the Crown/BNP on the front of the receiver.



And the Crown/BNP (?) on the bolt.

[EdG]

Johnny, thanks for the info.

I have seen that mark and wondered if it could be an I. The date marks are often so hard to make out that I thought maybe I was seeing a mis-formed L.
The F and K are weirdly formed (script? italic?) and are themselves hard to discern. I've seen only the F under the op rod but don't think I have seen it on the muzzle yet.
I've definitely seen the K and the L on the muzzle.

[Joe W]

Joe,
That mark appears to be the crossed scepters or pennants or swords seen in the Birmingham proofs.
The date code in the left angle looks to be K indicating 1959?
Thanks for posting.

I wonder, too, if that lock bar is a real type 1.

Thanks Ed, I should have realized that it was the Private View mark. As far as the pinion, I havn't ever seen one that was sleeved so not quite sure what to look for. I enlarged the picture up to 400 and don't see a sleeve, but I really don't know if it would be visible or not.

[Johnny Peppers]

The view mark was eliminated with the post 1954 Proof Law, as well as the NOT ENGLISH MAKE. The bore size, case length, and proof pressure were added in 1955.

[Johnny Peppers]

EdG,

This is a Colt 1911A1 Lend-Leased to Canada with Canadian broad-arrow C property marks, which was sold by Canada to a British Arms merchant following WWII, returned to England, and commercially proofed at Birmingham Proof House. It shows what appears to be an I date in the crossed sceptres.

[Tom Doniphon]

Only Lend Lease rifles with F (1955) date codes are marked under the op rod. The muzzle marked rifles were all proofed later, around 1960, give or take a year. That's why you never see an F date code on a muzzle proofed Lend Lease Garand.

[Joe W]

The view mark was eliminated with the post 1954 Proof Law, as well as the NOT ENGLISH MAKE. The bore size, case length, and proof pressure were added in 1955.

Johnny, When I say "Private View Mark" I am reffering to the crossed swords, the year code at 9 o'clock, the "B" for Birmingham at 3 o'clock and the inspectors seniority code at 6 o'clock. Are we talking about the same thing or is "private View Mark" and "view mark" two different things. I am sure that what I am calling "Private View Mark" was not "eliminated with the Proof laws of 1955. What am I missing here ??

[Johnny Peppers]

Johnny, When I say "Private View Mark" I am reffering to the crossed swords, the year code at 9 o'clock, the "B" for Birmingham at 3 o'clock and the inspectors seniority code at 6 o'clock. Are we talking about the same thing or is "private View Mark" and "view mark" two different things. I am sure that what I am calling "Private View Mark" was not "eliminated with the Proof laws of 1955. What am I missing here ??

Yes. The "private view mark", and view mark are two different markings. The view mark was used on both the 1904-1925 and the 1925-1955 proofs. The 1925 - 1955 London Proof House used crown over a circled V, and Birmingham used a crown over a circled BV. The 1955 proof marks were simplified somewhat, but added the caliber and proofing pressure. The 1955 proof law reduced the barrel markings from proof mark, view mark, and nitro proof to the nitro proof and caliber/proofing pressure marking.