Two questions for an armorer (Hopefully not too off topic)

[jas57]

The questions are regarding markings.
First, I believe that a star stamped on the barrel of a rifle meant that there was rust in the bore. I've seen the star stamped on some revolver barrels. Did it mean the same thing?
Second, No one seems too sure as to what the "AF" refers to when it is found on Inglis Hi Powers. Some say "Altered Factory", while others say "At Fault". Does anyone know for certain? Thanks, Jim

Information

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[Bindi2]

Buy the book THE BROAD ARROW by Ian Skennerton. There is at least 8 placings and meanings for the *

[Edward Horton]

The old 1962 U.S. gasoline/service station Texaco TV commercial “You can trust your car to the man who wears the star”

[me2]

Ed, can that apply to "the boy who wears the star" too? I was 14 yrs young at the time and pumped Texaco for 32 cents a gal. (Fire Chief, not Sky Chief hi-test) and that price got your windshield washed, and if requested, tire pressure checked, oil checked and belts, hoses and radiator too. BTW '62 was the year my paper route money and service station money bought me my first #5 Mk1 at Winnik's Army Navy store in Elmira NY. Ah, for the good ole days!!!

[beachbumbob]

And you probably paid between $15 and $20 for your #5. I got my first #1 in 1962 for $9.95 - a total of $13.28 out the door with 100 rounds of milsurp on strippers and 3% sales tax.

I was making a good wage at the time also $1.15 an hour plus tips at the A&W Root Beer stand.

Bob

[Peter Laidler]

The star was used up until the late 60's or so, We used to mark the place the rust pitting was on the outside of the barrel on revolvers, Brens etc but where it was covered with wood, like the rifles, then we'd mark the breech end where it would be visible to the next examining Armourer. But we'd only mark the barrel and not, say, the breeeching up ring of course.

As for the AF mark on No2 pistols, well I have never encountered it on our UK issue Inglis's but speaking to another examining Armourer a month ago about it, he has seen loads of them so marked. We both agree that whatever it indicates, it was dobe during the FTR programme of the very early 60's but did not indicate a special part fitment or non interchangeability because if it did, this would affect Armourers and in turn, it would have been indicated in our bible, the EMER's.

Likewise, if it were an Armourers mark, there would be instructions about where to mark, size of lettering etc etc. I'll chase it up early next month during a big meeting of Armourers. Someone will know................... hopefully!

[Paul S.]

The questions are regarding markings...
the "AF" refers to when it is found on Inglis Hi Powers... Does anyone know for certain?

Thanks Peter.