However, upon reading Joe Poyer's book, I am starting to second guess the proof marks on the rifle barrel. Poyer's book describes the correct barrel proof marks on pages 36 to 40. Here are some brief excerpts on the "2nd P mark below the eagle" and the correct texture of the marking :
A second "P" will be found below the V/P/eagle head, near the receiver-barrel join from circa serial #42,000 on. This reflected the proof testing of the assembled barrel, receiver, and breech block with a special 80-grain cartridge.
All markings including inspector's initials or numbers were applied to the barrel and other metal parts, before polishing and finishing.
If you can detect a slight roll of metal outlining a marking that is lighter in color and different in texture from the rest of the metal, that mark was stamped after the part was polished and finished. The Springfield Armory polishing process removed the roll of metal outlining a marking.
- book-1.jpeg (250.44 KiB) Viewed 1426 times
- book-2.jpeg (248.85 KiB) Viewed 1426 times
- P marking outline-1.jpeg (236.83 KiB) Viewed 1426 times
1) The second P is not directly below the eagle, but offset to the right, and also appears to be in a different font than described in the book.
2) It appears not to be complete? The right side of the letter P is missing.
3) I could see a faint outline around the P which appears to be a different color from the rest of the barrel.
Could this mean this second P mark was not original? Since this is the actual pressure proof mark of the rifle, I want to double check before I take this rifle out and shoot it. Has anyone seen markings like this? Many thanks!
