Looking for help with 1884 Trapdoor Proofs

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TFLeader

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Looking for some help on 1884 proofs and markings, the Cartouch is 1891:

The "P" means it has been proof tested, not sure what the other marks mean.

Barrel_Proof.gif

Am familiar with the V P Eagles Head, looks like an F? at the bottom?

Barel_Proof2.gif

Appears there may have been an ID plate? on the stock?

ID_PLate.gif

What does the "A" on the barrel mean?

Barrel_Proof_2.gif

Appears to be a "Y" between the trigger guard and the normal "P" proof mark?

Stock_Proof.gif
 
There's a book in the "For Collector's" series on the trapdoors that almost certainly has the list of proofs. Someone around here may have a copy.
 
The back of the Dixie Gun Works Catelogue has a few dozen pages of reference information, including a listing of US government arsenal inspectors and their marks.

For the record, I don't believe that is a Y, it is three initials in an oval. Most inspectors put stamps on the wood like that, inside either an oval or a rectangle. I think top left looks like an "A"
 
Those letters are the marks of the parts inspectors who overrsaw the manufacture and approved the parts before they went to the parts bins for later assembly. I know of no way to identify them today. (Incidentally, the VP is the combined Proof and View mark; it was applied when the barrel passed proof as a barrel; the final proof of the assembled rifle is the circled "P" under the pistol grip.)

The mark of an ID plate on the stock is just that, but the plate would have been installed after the rifle left service. Such plates usually had a rack number and maybe letters identifying the owner (school, company, etc.). As to who that owner might have been, anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's.

Jim
 
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