London Proofs

[John Taddeo]

After receiving a recent acquisition of V grade 20 following restoration I wanted to submit a photo of British proofs found on the barrel flats, with a few questions to the Forum.. I did notice the V stamp(consistent with Parker) within a circle but do not find a Walter King stamp or the unstruck weight.. Can someone identify these proofs please and tell me if these guns were ever exported without a WK stamp... I had thought maybe the proof house had redone the flats although it does not appear so because the V marking is still present.. Any info appreciated.. I would also like to commend Mr. Brad Bachelder and his team for a fantastic over the top job..

[Dean Romig]

Some folks here say that within a certain serial number range there are no King (either father or son) stamped on the flats. What is the approximate serial number of your gun?

I believe the 2 and superscript 15 on the flat of the right barrel indicate the pre-striking weight of the barrels.

NP with the arm and sword above is the Nitro Proof stamp.
65MM is the chamber length.
20 in the diamond is the gauge.
The stamps with the crowns above are Final proof stamps

I don't recognize any proof tonnage - others will fill in the blanks I have left.




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[Jim DiSpagno]

John, unstruck barrel weight is 2 lbs, 15 ozs. and is very visible. As far as Walter King marking, there is a marking on the left barrel flat close to the lug that looks to be it but well worn. Jim

[John Taddeo]

149xxx serial number range Dean.. I do see the unstruck weight now, I don't know how I missed that but I see no WK..

[Dean Romig]

That number looks to be about 1908 or 1909 and Walter King hadn't become Superintendent until 1910.







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[Roundsworth]

Try these!

[Bob Brown]

Here is a bit more info to add to to Dean's on the proof marks. The crown over R is for a reproof. The crown over STD shows a standard proof load was used. The 15.8 is the millimeters of the bore 23 centimeters from the breech. The 20 ga. ranged from 15.6 to 16.2 mm. The 20 in the diamond also stated the nominal ga. The LP over 07 is the year of proof. Hope that helps a bit.
Forgot to mention yours are London marks rather than Birmingham.

[Drew Hause]

The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives standards
http://www.cip-bobp.org/homologation...idge_type_id=7
Both 65 and 70 mm 20g standard is SERVICE 830 BAR or 12,038 psi;
Maximum SERVICE 950 BAR or 13,779 psi;
PROOF 1040 BAR or 15,084 psi.