In4 22,5 x 28,5 cm, relie, 432 pages, ouvrage en anglais english book reliure cartonnage rouge, premier plat orne dun macaron dore or en relief. Proof marks ballistics bev fitchetts guns magazine. Sample photos of their layouts are at the bottom of the page. Readers who are interested should peruse the references below, particularly paul mauser. Standard directory of proof marks by gerhard wirnsberger 1976. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information that we have found on this subject. G rifled barrel, s smoothbore and w choked barrel span the period from the first german proof law of 1891 until 1939, but there are usually other marks present that can greatly narrow the date range.
The crownn mark is under the 1912 date and the crown is changed to an eaglen in 1939. Proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which it was designed in england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. Many old guns may have been reproved once or more, often in a different proof house from the original one. Proof marks complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger 1977, mayfield heights ohiousa, editions chez lauteur format. The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print it is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hallmarks, but the proofmarks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945. With three stage cannon barrels moulded at the muzzle, engraved separate tangs, rounded actions engraved with foliage, inscribed london on the breeches and signed beneath, stamped with london proof marks. The eagle shows the first proof and the crown and u mark shows that a second proof was done. The majority of marks will be found on the barrel flats, though early guns may have stamps on the tubes, under the forend. The proof master the gun barrel proof house banbury street birmingham b5 5rh united kingdom.
That includes even those walthers with west german proof marks. Many papers and books have been written on this subject, but probably the. The most obvious proof marks on german guns are the pictograms that can frequently be found near the firearms serial number. We have provided you with this information in an attempt to clear up some wrong information. German definitive smokeless powder proof marks eagle over n figure issued by the beschussamt ulm c. Military acceptance marks on wwi imperial german 7. Proof marks are the official stamps or ciphers showing that a barrel has been properly tested with the prescribed excess charges of powder and ball that allow a large factor of safety to the user. First preliminary proof of a unfinished barrel material proof 4. Such a structure is often subjected to loads above that expected in actual use, demonstrating safety and design margin. Typically, each manufacturer uses the same proof house for all of their firearms, but this is not always true. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a series of identification guides for small arms. Extractor extractor mounting ring safety safety body tailpiece. Development and production, 18771946 by weaver, speed, and schmid.
Books are the best locations for reliable lists and illustrations of all known proof symbols. There are three periods in the german proof system, divided into two countries. This book contains english translations of the actual regulations issued by the german authorities from the imperial and weimar eras, and is an invaluable source of information about the often. A proof test is a form of stress test to demonstrate the fitness of a loadbearing structure.
Note the inspectors proof marks between the original imperial proofs. For corroboration, crossreference with the proof house controllers mark. Proof marks can be a very valuable aid to the forensic firearms investigator as. Mb date code on german m98 rifles with swv marks signifying that it was made in late 1944 early 1945. The following is an extensive collection of european pistol makers and armorers marks including british, french, spanish, german and austrohungarian. This book contains english translations of the actual regulations issued by the german authorities from the imperial and weimar eras, and is an.
As expected, the barrel was proved in both its rough and finished state. Primary black powder proof, only on barrels round area not on barrel flat. Proof marks comparing the proof marks on your gun to this chart may help you determine where and when your gun was made, including guns where no other markings are evident. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3. The practical importance of these two additional works is best summarized in the excellent introduction in john walters book, as follows. Collectors who spend enough time around european firearms will often notice that the guns are littered with a variety of odd markings, letters, and other stamps that seem like some sort of. Welcome to phoenix investment arms, investment grade german lugers. There should be additional marks with the crown and u showing the calibre of the barrel, rifling etc.
Mckeowns guns importer of italian shotguns in pekin, illinois since 1970. Quick question regarding bug and n proof marks archive. Luger gunsinvestment grade collectible german lugersphoenix. German basic proof marks other common marks commercial trademarks imperial german military markings military organization markings reichswehr markings the third reich ordnance manufacturers code letters other third reich markings the postwar period proof marks of the german federal.
Sweeting, 1960 edition, in english german proof marks and arms codes, 18601960. Cocks, actions and frizzens with engraved bordersmore. Standard directory of proof marks by gerhard wirnsberger. The thunderbird, if very small, could be a waffen amt which would make it german, and is an inspectors mark. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. Proof marks are usually found on the underside of the barrels, and if a gun has. Standard directory of proof marks reprint edition by g. Mca tradename used by steyr daimler puch on rifles made in steyr, austria. I have a proof mark book which has the german proof marks in a sort of chart, which i do not fully understand.
However it seems they had a law of 1891, 1912, 1939, 1950 and 52. German proof marks and arms codes, 18601960 book, 1960. Proof testing is nominally a nondestructive test, particularly if both. All about german proof marks and arms codes, 18601960 by c.
German firearms are loaded with a variety of markings and stamps. When we find the first and last name on a gun in this book, we take it for. Proof marks, date codes, and german firearms international. It is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hallmarks, but the proofmarks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. They are german proof marks, as specified in the 19111912 revisions to the 1891 proof law. Amongst the pioneering identification guides was german secret codes 193045 deutschland ordnance co. It has most major makers proof marks in it and should be in the reference section of your local library, or one very similar. How to identify a german luger 761b gone outdoors your. Dec 14, 2009 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. From the standard directory of proof marks, by gerhard wirnsberger, isbn. The proof marks shown below will assist in determining nationality of manufacturers when no other markings are evident. Azanza y arizabalaga pistol makers in eibar, spain, c.
The proof master the proof house 48 commercial road london e1 1lp united kingdom. German police unit marks, 19201937 old military markings. German proof marks and arms codes, 18601960 sweeting, c. Thank you for visiting our online listing of manufacturers identifying marks, referred to more commonly as proof marks, arsenal or inspector marks.
Proof masters in london and birmingham can be contacted at the addresses below. A variety of other numbers will be shown in pictures. If you look at the images above, the german proof marks show that two proof tests were done. Identification and price guide books are available online through gun specialty stores, bookstores and through some gun dealers and stores. His life, company, and handgun development, 18381914 by baudino and van vlimmeren and mauser pistolen. Take a copy of the mark or a piece of the porcelain or china to a collectibles show or a mall specializing in collectibles and antiques. This comprehensive book has pictures of the marks from 1710 to 1981 and gives the dates of use. Proof marks, date codes, and german firearms the bulk of the proof stamps on this walther ppks.
Anyone collecting european firearms needs this book to answer many questions about the guns they own. Our clients are investors, collectors, and those who simply want to shoot one of the worlds most recognized and coveted hand guns. Welcome thank you for visiting our online listing of manufacturers identifying marks, referred to more commonly as proof marks, arsenal or inspector marks. Sign up for librarything to find out whether youll like this book. The standard directory of proof marks with wwii german ordnance codes by. The table below can be used to see if your gun was proofed in london or birmingham. Marks showing crowns over the letters b, u, proof approved.
Only from 1986 onward, until the late 1990s, were walther ppseries pistols once again made in germany at walthers manufacturing facility in ulm. Marks visible are crownoveru final proof and eaglecrownovers smoothbore and w choked. Consult a luger pistol or german military weapons identification and price guide book for a list of proof symbols. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original pre1945 manufacture. German, suhl 1st black powder proof for smooth bored barrels since 1950 e. Information courtesy of the blue book of gun values by s.
It will tell you the era when the gun was made and where. A single letter, either roman or greek, upper or lower case, underlined or not. Proof mark circa proof house type of proof and gun since 1950 e. You local library might have the book gun marks by robert balderson. With so little information yet discovered about so many german makers, a working knowledge of proof marks can be your guide to the hidden histories of german sporting arms.
In england, the london and birmingham proof houses were established in 1637 and 18, respectively by royal charter to protect the public from the sale of unsafe weapons. Proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after. Amongst proof marks are codes enabling one to determine the date of manufacture of many guns. Apr 12, 2020 proof marks are stamps applied to various parts of a weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe for use with the ammunition for which it was designed. The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print. Mck tradename and abbreviation tor mckeowns guns on italian shotguns. Olson,ludwig, mauser bolt rifles 3rd edition, 1988. The specialized source for german, bohemian and austrian porcelain marks is by rontgen. These are well outside of the scope of this book, but basically, a machine gun.
These marks are customarily the cipher of the gunsmiths guild and the mark of the state or city. These symbols represent the proof house that performed the testing. The following tables list the base forms for police unit marks found in german small arms markings from authentic sources by j. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b. The backstory of the mauser company is fascinating but beyond the scope of this article to relate in detail. Walthers displaying west german proofs were in fact shipped from manurhin to ulm for final assembly and testing.
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