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Originally Posted by kronckew
... what is the crown/B mark on the barrel? interim proof? germany also had a crown/B proof mark. it looks a bit mis-struck, could there have been another letter right of the 'B'?
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There is no space under the crown for a second letter; and i would say this is not a case of mis-struck marking, but the irons that were worn.The example i have seen out there has the same failures in both barrel markings. Concerning the 'B', i wonder if it isn't a 'P' instead ... like for Portugal. On the other hand, i have been reading a couple books in my miserable library and learnt that some New Land variations had British mountings and Portuguese barrels; this would explain why there are no Brit. proof marks on the barrel.
I have also learnt something (for me) outstanding. The ramrod (front) end in this pistol is wider than the barrel bore; i thought this was a bad replacement and was about to take it to a turner to reduce its diameter. I have just read that the Brits didn't use this end to ram the bullet but the narrow end that is inside the pistol stock. Brits are really different ... no wonder they drive by the left
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... Just kiding, lads
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