I should have been more clear. I am quite aware of the patent stamp we have so rarely seen behind the grip cap, but a “73” is not part of that stamp. Maybe the OP could supply a clear picture of the stamp on his gun.
I will also say that sometimes on older guns quite visibly on the underside of the forend wood we have seen the serial number, a checkered’s or stocker’s name, a 1 or a 2 indicating which barrel set it went to, as examples.
.
__________________
"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
|