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Challenge Can you ID this smoothbore?

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I actually found that the proof is a London proof. a crown over "V" that was started in 1670. Not sure at all, though, when it was discontinued...
 
The Germanic is from the design of the stock, the Barrel bands, British guns until the mid 19th century used pins to hold the barrel to the stock.
 
look at the last photo, the proof is upside down with a V then the british crown underneath, though well worn.
 
I was thinking exactly the same - blocks or letters - until someone pointed out the crown over V and I really felt like that's what it is. Do you know of any other proof mark, from anywhere, that used a symbol or symbols over a V?
 
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It sure looks like a crown to me. if you look at the very top of it one can just make out a round bit. I do agree that it is more squared off than the crown shown in the example. But proof stamps may not show the same detail as the drawing.
 
farren55 said:
saying what mark it isn't is all well and good but what mark is it.

True, but it is hard to say what it is without a comprehensive illustrated list of European proof marks from the various proof houses in operation during the first half of the 19th Century when this gun was produced. As far as I know, none exists that shows the various marks used by proof houses in the smaller states throughout Europe, especially those in Central Europe.

Sorry, I wish I could be of more help but all I have to go on is the form of what is left of the original gun. I stick by my statement above that it is Germanic, possibly a M1844 Saxon musket or from one of the other small Germanic states. I can say it is not Prussian.
 
4A809232-9585-4FC4-8362-AF29BAD54235_zpsspmwmoka.jpg


This picture seems to show pretty clearly it is a crown over a V. At least the way I see it. (It's upside down in the photo).

Pistols of the World by Claude Blair shows this mark on page 187 as letter l.

The description on page 186 says,

"l View mark of the London Gunmakers' Company. Used in conjunction with the next"

"m Proof-mark of the London Gunmakers' Company (established 1638)"

The mark shown for m is a crown over the intertwined letters GP.
 
There are only 2 marks anywhere on it and they're both the same. I see a crown over V in both. I think I might have everyone stumped! :doh:
 
PRIVATE VIEW AND PROOF ENGLISH , as I said earlier trade gun made up from surplus parts .Most likely from Leige.
 
So you're saying this gun was assembled in Belgium with different surplus parts from all over?
From my understanding parts were not interchangeable back then. Meaning it would take some heavy customization to get it all to fit together. And maybe even fabricating a stock that fits it all. Did they really do that?
 
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