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.

Information

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[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Joe W]

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.

As I read Scott Duffs article "Garands in the Kings Service" American Rifleman, Apr. 2002, Duff shows a drawing of the "crossed swords, scepters or whatever, with an "F", "B" and a number 1. He describes these markings stating that they indicate the rifle" was "VIEWED" during the year 1955 by the Chief Inspector. Duff further states that year code starts with the letter "A" in 1950 and progresses (letter I omitted) to "z" in 1974. The letters begin again with "A" in 1975, but the crossed swords framework was changed to a segmented circle." He writes about this marking under the heading "Private View Mark".
Based on Duffs writting it appeared to me, and I always thought, that the use of the crossed swords, date code and inspectors mark was still being used at least into the 1970's, under the proof laws of 1955 and this marking is referred to as either the "Private View Mark" or just the "view mark". Am I misreading something and the "view mark" and/or "Private View Mark" is something else entirly ??? If so, could you explain to me just what a "Private View Mark" is and how it differs from the "View mark". Thanks

By the way, the rifle that was the subject of this post ended up selling for $ 1300.00 to the single bidder.