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Legit Proof Mark?
- Thread starter gizmo688
- Start date
madcratebuilder
New member
The circle P is indeed a proof mark. It is applied after the rifle has been successfully proof fired.
Most mil-surps have a assortment of marking from different inspectors and generally only have one or two "Proof" marks.
I would think a original. The Smith Corona in the pic has several Rem parts and the wood has been heavily sanded.
Most mil-surps have a assortment of marking from different inspectors and generally only have one or two "Proof" marks.
Could this be a poor fake, or just a sloppy original?
I would think a original. The Smith Corona in the pic has several Rem parts and the wood has been heavily sanded.
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The circle P or sometimes just P on the bottom of the pistol grip is the usual proof mark on U.S. military rifles after 1900 or so. The inspector's cartouche is on the left side of the rifle above and behind the trigger guard.
To answer the OP's question, I have never seen a proof mark on an M1903 or 1903A3 that looked like that and IMHO it is a fake. The genuine circled "P" was marked with one stamp.
Jim
To answer the OP's question, I have never seen a proof mark on an M1903 or 1903A3 that looked like that and IMHO it is a fake. The genuine circled "P" was marked with one stamp.
Jim
madcratebuilder
New member
Jim, I found the OP's rifle on Gunbroker and it's legit, the camera angle makes it look strange in that one pic. It appears normal in other pic's.
Your right about a oblong circle being suspect.
Your right about a oblong circle being suspect.
Maybe, and the only one I found on GB looked OK. But in that one the P is definitely off center and I don't see how a camera angle could make it look like that.
Just as FWIW, fakers rarely have the right stamps. So they make a circle with one stamp (often simply the mouth of a .45ACP case) then put the P inside it. There is enough variety in the legitimate stamps that if the proportions are right things will look OK.
Jim
Just as FWIW, fakers rarely have the right stamps. So they make a circle with one stamp (often simply the mouth of a .45ACP case) then put the P inside it. There is enough variety in the legitimate stamps that if the proportions are right things will look OK.
Jim
madcratebuilder
New member
There's a guy on evil bay selling every cartouche stamp you can think of. The next generation of collectors well need to be very diligent.