I don’t know the history. There is a Crown over R Birmingham proof mark for black powder rifles used until 1925. This is a smooth bore ball gun so they may have considered it a “rifle” or proofed it as such.
The British proof law in effect between 1925 and 1954 (Birmingham: crowns-over-BV, BP, and NP) did include a crown-over-R for
"Re-proof mark. Seen on black powder rifles which the owner had proofed with nitro powders. Such guns must also carry the "NP" mark. Also seen on repaired guns which require re-proof."
From Wirnsberger's "Standard directory of proof marks", p108, with an additional comment on p113 further indicating it wasn't just for rifles.
The original proofs, including the 8-over-C in a diamond, were used from 1887 until 1904.
Posts: 714 | Location: paradise with an ocean view | Registered: 09 April 2002
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Here you go Sarg. The gun has 28” barrels with nice bores. It’s lighter than I would like for an 8 bore at 13 lbs but I’m hoping that it’s regulated for the lighter load. It does balance well. The front site is ramped with a white bead but no rear sight per se. When you mount the gun however, the grooved rib/action serves as a reference point - almost like a semi buckhorn sight. I tried to show this in one of the pics. It should be an adequate sight arrangement for the range of a smoothbore gun. The gun is marked “S.W. Silver” (of Silver’s pad fame). Not sure if they actually built the gun or it was built for them and marketed by them. It’s my first 8 bore. It arrived this week, and I’m quite happy to have it.
Thanks Sarg. It’s certainly on the lighter side at 13 lbs. I’ve seen others in that range though. It’s definitely on the other end of the spectrum when I compare it to my 10.5 lb two dram 12b (1.875” case).
As I remember the case length was added as per Rules of 1924. Definitely post '24.
Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
Posts: 9718 | Location: Missouri City, Texas | Registered: 21 June 2000