What's up w/ "Belgian Proof Marks"?

[yhtomit]

In looking through my Encylopedia of Guns, I notice that some guns which are of unknown maker nonetheless have "Belgian Proof Marks" -- can someone explain just what that means? Were gun makers obligated to send examples of their guns for proofing? To whom? Were they obligated to send in *every* one? (Or just exemplars?) How does "proofing" work? I'm sure I've seen mention of proof marks from other countries, but it seems like "Anonymous manufacturer, but with Belgian Proof Marks" seems to be the combination I come upon most often ... Are there Canadian Proof Marks? Irish Proof Marks? (What's so special about Belgium?)

timothy

 

[AndyC]

The city of Liege in Belgium was pretty much devoted to firearms-making from the late 1600's - proofing originated there as a mark of minimum standards of safety being met.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

There are German proofmarks as well, you'll see them on H&K and Walther guns, not to mention some others. These articles may provide a little bit of insight.

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Firearm/Proofmarks.pdf

http://www.hkpro.com/symbols.htm
http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/mystery.html
http://www.g6csy.net/c96/proof.html

 

[Jim Watson]

Most industrialized European countries have proof laws. EVERY gun made must be tested at a government operated proof house. There are a variety of different proof tests but they usually culminate in the definitive proof, about 1/3 greater pressure than the standard load. Reason you see so many references to Belgium is that they were the center of fair-to-good gunmaking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mostly cheap stuff out of Spain, though they can do good work.

Lots of guns were built there with no maker's identification. Either a distributor's trademark or nothing at all. They don't seem to have the level of brand identification and loyalty or the advertising approach that we do, that makes catchy names essential.