Inglis No1 HP pistol

[Paul S.]

The primary proof marks were applied to the right side of the frame behind the trigger pin and the right side of the slide behind the ejection port. You should find the typical British proof and the Canadian broad arrow inside a 'C'. These marks were very light and can be hard to see if the Suncorite finish is heavy. British service pistols may have the cross pennants marking on the barrel in front of the S/N. This marking is on the barrel of my 6T**** pistol, but two of my pistols, both 0T**** serial numbered do not have this marking. One has what appears to be a post-war replacement barrel with the stylized maple leaf proof on the right side of the barrel lug. This pistol has a Suncorite finish. The other was FTRd at Enfield in 1963 (and so marked) also has what appears to be a replacement barrel that has an 'M' stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug. It also bears the mysterious 'AF' marking (Attn: P. Laidler) on the frame and the slide after being refinished with black phosphate (Parkerising). Both barrels have a minute stamping that appears to be the typical British proof or an asterisk - it's that small and that hard to tell.

Added comment: my FTR 63 pistol has the same safety lever as yours, but the other pistols do not.

I also neglected to mention that the ejector will have a roman numeral two (II) stamped on its left side. The hammer should have a '2' and a 'D' stamped on its left side as well. The 'II' and the '2' indicate the second series ejector and hammer that was introduced very early on in production to resolve a reliability issue. My understanding is that these parts were retro-fitted the earlier production as - when - possible as well.