Under barrel stamping
 

What is meant by the over load proof stamped under the barrel chambers. Obviously it means an over pressured load, but what exactly is “over load” ?

It is based on whatever the factory deemed to be an overload based on their standards. At least in Meriden. On the repros it may be more of a cosmetic mark vs. meaning that every gun is overload proved. Or maybe they were. I do not know for sure. They are at least marked the same way that the originals were. But if I recall, they are also marked with the regular Winchester Proof “wp” stamp. This would also suggest some sort of proofing, to winchester standards.

In the US at least, there is no proof houses like in England and Europe. So it was up to each maker to test their guns the way they saw fit.

I had asked a similar question a decade ago in this thread. We never did get an answer as to what the proofing process entailed.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5104

When did SAAMI standards come in?

1926





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A trip through Parker Brothers

Jeff, do you know/remember the date of this information? Thanks for posting it.

This is what A.H. Fox Gun Co. advertised about their proofing --

Attachment 98801

Attachment 98802

I have the flyer marked as 1923.