British proofed 3-42 on GB

[EdG]

Johnny, that certainly must be an I on the Colt 1911A1. What would be the mark and its meaning in the top angle above the 4?

Tom, the only date code marks other than F (always under the op rod on the chamber) that I myself have seen on Lend Lease era Garands are the K and L and all have been on the muzzle. I have seen some L codes that are very clearly L but I've seen some that looked as if the L were scrunched to almost form a V leaning to its right. I hope that description makes sense.

Has anyone seen a London proofed Lend Lease era Garand stamped on the muzzle? I have seen London proofs on Garand muzzles that are outside of the Lend Lease period but very few of those.

[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.

[Johnny Peppers]

In 1975 the private view mark was changed to the segmented circle you describe, like a pie cut in three pieces, then in 1980 the segmented lines were removed but the circle contained the same information. Then in 1985 they went back to the crossed sceptres.

As in my previous post, up until 1955 the View mark was stamped on the three major components of the firearm. The barrel would have had three stamps indicating proof, nitro proof, and view. The proof and nitro proof were combined, and the view mark was eliminated. The "Private View Mark" containing the date and inspector were retained as described above.

[Joe W]

Thanks, I guess I understand about as well as I ever will. Ever since passing 70 years old I have gotten a bit dense. LOL

[Johnny Peppers]

Well, not sure what else I can add. The private view mark contained information on the date of the proofing, and the view mark was put on the three major components after final proofing and everything was found to pass the proofing procedure. I suppose the view mark was found to be unnecessary and was dropped in the 1955 proof law.

[Joe W]

Well, not sure what else I can add. The private view mark contained information on the date of the proofing, and the view mark was put on the three major components after final proofing and everything was found to pass the proofing procedure. I suppose the view mark was found to be unnecessary and was dropped in the 1955 proof law.

I think what was confusing to me was that I was not thinking of the BNP proof mark on the top of the chamber or the stamp on the bolt lug as "View" marks, but as "proof" marks, required by the Rules of Proof. As Duff stated " The proofing dies, however were no match for the hardened steel of the M1 Garands receiver and bolt, and wore in short order. Only a small fraction of Lend-Lease rifles show these proofs or parts of them; most carry only a dent or smudge. Many show no evidence at all, suggesting that both houses eventually gave up the attempt."

[Johnny Peppers]

The BNP really isn't a view mark. The view mark was applied showing the proofing was successful, as prior to 1955 there was a proof and a nitro proof mark. The BNP replaced the view mark, proof mark, and nitro proof mark on the barrel.

The London Proof House replaced the previous three marks with a single arm holding a scimitar over NP on the barrel. On this London Proof House 1911A1 proofed barrel the NP proof is to the left of the caliber marking, and rotated 90 degrees clockwise.