new date code

N

Newton24b

Moderator
Can i get photos of the proof date code from the C series? ie CA CB CC CD CF have seen references of people finding a CH code on the new batch of piettas being sold by cabelas right now, and would like a picture of the older date codes for a comparison to see how the letters are stamped for the A anyway.

hate to think someone could mistake, or make, a A stamp that looks like a H.
 
Here's mykeal's date code chart. It would make sense that for 2011 the Italian proof house has skipped the letter G which has been skipped in the past. G does resemble a C which could cause confusion. I don't know why the Italian proof house has always skipped the letter G in the past.

DateCodes.jpg

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4515969&postcount=6
 
i need a general photo mosiac of the markings on actual guns to get a visual feel for the markings that the stamps use, ie just how much they leave off each letter.

beginning to think a lot that the 2011 date code is CH as every photo i can find on line for CA is shaped perfectly like the letter A on this screen here: A
 
H is what would be expected to be in the date code for 2011 proofed guns and it's early 2011 so they're starting to arrive and show up on the market.
 
Maybe the reason for skipping the G really is that the Italians always want to try to avoid confusion with the letter C that shows up in every complete cycle of the alphabet.
If part of the G stamp is left off by a poor or incomplete stamping or due to wear then the chances are that it will always resemble a C.
The large volume of guns stamped would seem to make that bound to happen.
 
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MY brand new Piettia Colt Poilice Revolver is stamped with "CF". The Revolver just came into the Country last week and is a brand new import by Cabelas.
The 2010 manufacture date makes sense!
I wonder which metal process the frame is since it is rumored that Italian manufacturers have updated their steel manufacturing processes?
Thankyou for posting the list and confirming my estimation!
ZVP
 
i need a general photo mosiac of the markings on actual guns to get a visual feel for the markings that the stamps use, ie just how much they leave off each letter.

beginning to think a lot that the 2011 date code is CH as every photo i can find on line for CA is shaped perfectly like the letter A on this screen here: A
Click to expand...
They don't intentionally 'leave off' part of the letters. Stamping a date code, or for that matter proof codes, manufacturer's marks, etc. on metal is not a precision process - you will often find incomplete stamp marks that result from an improperly aligned tool or inconsistent stamping force.

CH is the Italian code for gun parts proofed in 2011. E, G, J, K, O, Q, R, V and W are not used because, with the variability in stamping results mentioned above, they are often confused with other letters. The only exception to this was the use of AE in 1979.
 
PN stands for "Polvere Nera", which means black powder.
The star surrounded by eight lands and grooves over the PN is the black powder proof mark for Gardone and Brescia. It should also have a pair of crossed rifles in a square.

These proof marks are required on all black powder guns made in Italy after 1950.
 
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