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Legacy Member
Originally Posted by
Surpmil
but was the rifle proofed after leaving military service or not?
It would not have had a civilian proof whilst in service.
Just remember that proof testing is simply the firing of one 'over pressure' cartridge, it does not check for (for example) headspace, it will look to make sure the barrel is not bulged or the action twisted etc. Prooving an 'old' rifle will not show if it will 'explode' at the next firing, the 1000th firing or the 10,000th firing.
The proof round pressure could even have pushed it right to the edge, we just don't know.
To be marked DP, Z, ZF etc it obviously failed whatever gauging was specified, and without those gauges how can WE test it.
To answer your question - Yes it has been fired (at least once) since leaving military service.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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11-29-2020 06:34 PM
# ADS
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
Alan de Enfield
It would not have had a civilian proof whilst in service.
Just remember that proof testing is simply the firing of one 'over pressure' cartridge, it does not check for (for example) headspace, it will look to make sure the barrel is not bulged or the action twisted etc. Prooving an 'old' rifle will not show if it will 'explode' at the next firing, the 1000th firing or the 10,000th firing.
The proof round pressure could even have pushed it right to the edge, we just don't know.
To be marked DP, Z, ZF etc it obviously failed whatever gauging was specified, and without those gauges how can WE test it.
To answer your question - Yes it has been fired (at least once) since leaving military service.
Yes, that was my opinion also. And in view of the heavy repolish and worn bluing I suspect it was used for many years, and probably fired a good many rounds in its current state.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same. 
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Just as a minor point of information, Birmingham Proof House (I only use them, so can only speak from that experience, though I presume London do the same) do check head space as well as carrying out the Over Service Pressure test firing. Rifles do sometimes fail proof for excessive head space. As I know this to be the case I always check the space on all of my rifles that I submit, & I've had nothing fail in years, other than one rifle I submitted for someone else!
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