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Hi Adam
The marks on the barrel look very much like proof marks. Proof is the
testing of gun barrels before they are sold, ensuring that they are safe
if used properly. Proof dates back to the 17th century, when the
Gunmakers's Company started proving guns in London, but it was a
voluntary process until 1813 when, not coincidentally, the Birmingham
Gun Barrel Proof House was established. After this date all arms sold
had to be proved, and later in the 19th century there was also a
requirement introduced to prove imported arms. Standard marks are
punched into barrels to indicate the proof house and type of proof. Arms
can also be voluntarily submitted for reproof by the owner at a later
date.
These marks look fairly early but I am no expert on proof marks and the
relevant books here are inaccessible while we reorganise the science
collections library. You might wish to contact Bill Harding, a historian
based at the Birmingham Proof House, who has much greater knowledge of
these matters than my colleagues and I. Bill can be reached via
[log in to unmask] .
Names engraved on firearms can represent one of three things: the maker,
the retailer, or the owner. The names of owners are sometimes let in on
a separate plate and I would guess that it's most likely to be a
retailer in this case.
I think the name is Richard Booth. What at first looks like an N is just
a scratch in the metal and a rather indistinct O. There's a very similar
mark on the pistol on this webpage
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=23430
which tends to bear out the retailer theory.
You might also put the questions to the Royal Armouries, which has a
really superb collection of arms that is worth seeing if you're visiting
Leeds.
Regards
Jack
Jack Kirby
Collections Interpretation Manager
Thinktank, Birmingham science museum
e: [log in to unmask]
w: http://www.thinktank.ac/
w. http://www.birminghamstories.co.uk/
t: +44 (0) 121 202 2279
f: +44 (0) 121 202 2337
-----Original Message-----
From: Social History Curators Group email list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adam Bell
Sent: 03 November 2008 14:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SHCG-LIST] Identification - marks on 19th C pistol barrels
This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message,
your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the
author of this message.
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Hello
I'm intrigued about some stamped marks on the barrels of two 19th
century percussion lock pistols and wonder if someone could enlighten
me?
Image 001 shows the barrel of gun no.1, it has two small stamped marks,
one appears to be 'GRV' with a crown, the other has crossed swords and a
crown.
I'm assuming GRV is George V, but I'm puzzled that that should be on
there, considering the gun is of a much earlier vintage? I'd like to
know what the marks mean, and why the pistol would have been stamped
with them...
Images 002 and 003 show gun no.2 - again, two small stamped marks on the
barrel (I presume the nearer is again crossed swords and a crown, but
the farther is too difficult for me to make out properly).
Image 003 is of the lockplate and is, I presume, the maker's name? It
looks a bit like RICHr or RICHd (I assume this is Richard) BONTH
Does anyone know if I've got this name right, or not, and might there be
any details available about this individual?
I suppose it could also possibly be the name of the owner?
Thanks
Adam
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