I posted this info on the pistol forum a bit ago, but thought it may be of general interest and so have posted it here. If this isn't the right spot, please move it to one more appropriate. I found the info on a different forum. Thanks. Emery
"There will be proof marks (usually two). One of them will be a PN marking...this is a black powder proof. Have had people show that to me and claim that their gun is nitro proofed (thinking PN is for Proof Nitro)..it is not...that's a black powder proof.
Will USUALLY be a maker's stamp...but not always. In the early years, was common to have whoever improrted the gun supply whatever stamps they wanted..Navy Arms, Replica Arms, Sile, CVA, etc. But it all boils down to a few makers. Common ones are: (aside from writting the company name out):
Pedersoli usually uses "DAP" or "dp".
Uberti usualy uses a "U" surroumded by an octagon outline...the octagon to represent a barrel outline.
Pietta Usually uses a "***" in a horizontal diamond outline.
Palmetto (who made a lot of Dixie Gun Works reproductions) uses a palm tree in a circle.
Armi San Palo uses a DGG..this is also found on EuroArms (as they are more or less the same maker now). Often hard to figure out as they overlap the DGG.
Armi Sport will usually use a "AC" in a circle."
"There will be proof marks (usually two). One of them will be a PN marking...this is a black powder proof. Have had people show that to me and claim that their gun is nitro proofed (thinking PN is for Proof Nitro)..it is not...that's a black powder proof.
Will USUALLY be a maker's stamp...but not always. In the early years, was common to have whoever improrted the gun supply whatever stamps they wanted..Navy Arms, Replica Arms, Sile, CVA, etc. But it all boils down to a few makers. Common ones are: (aside from writting the company name out):
Pedersoli usually uses "DAP" or "dp".
Uberti usualy uses a "U" surroumded by an octagon outline...the octagon to represent a barrel outline.
Pietta Usually uses a "***" in a horizontal diamond outline.
Palmetto (who made a lot of Dixie Gun Works reproductions) uses a palm tree in a circle.
Armi San Palo uses a DGG..this is also found on EuroArms (as they are more or less the same maker now). Often hard to figure out as they overlap the DGG.
Armi Sport will usually use a "AC" in a circle."