help to identify proof marks.

[old ugly]

i wonder if any one can tell me what country and/or time frame this proof mark is from?
on the barrel is #26 , a crown over 2 feathers surrounded by + signs.
the breach plug is stamped with "D D"
thank you
ou
tom

 

[BallBoy]

I’m just learning about this. Here is a list of markings that could possibly help. Derek

 

[old ugly]

ok i found it

it is french
in this link it is number 11.

https://www.shotguns.se/html/france.html

St Etienne

1824-1856

Proofhouse mark replace no 2

thank you
ou

 

[old ugly]

The French proof system is old and start in 1700. There was a short stop in the arms trade during the french revolutions.

The proof laws of 1868 was the hardest one in Europe at that time: half the barrel was filled with black powder, the rest of the barrel was filled with number 9 shot and the rifle was fired. Not surprisingly this was at the time the most violent proof.


ou

 

[old ugly]

next question
do you suppose the number 26 is the year?
ou

 

[TFoley]

It might be the post-revolution year - 1792 + 26 = 1818. But that would be incorrect for the type of proof stamp.

 

[old ugly]

i think now maybe 26 is the serial number but i am just guessing on that or maybe the date??
ou

 

[LawrenceA]

D D is probably to mate the breech to the barrel and is the assemblers mark? Just guessing.
I think the 26 is the gauge so about 58 calibre

 

[old ugly]

D D is probably to mate the breech to the barrel? Just guessing.
I think the 26 is the gauge so about 58 calibre

a .575 round ball fits perfect into the bore. so .575 cal , i don't know what that converts to gauge.
thanks
ou

 

[LawrenceA]

a .575 round ball fits perfect into the bore. so .575 cal , i don't know what that converts to gauge.
thanks
ou

Believe it or not. It converts to 26 gauge.

 

[old ugly]

nice