British proofed 3-42 on GB

[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.