I have looked and looked at that date code from every angle and with different type light and I couldn't make anythign but a u out of it. I also thought μ(mu) but can not pull that out of the date code. It would support Adolphe Delcommune mark being there, that is for sure.
I have a greater concern with the u mark. 1942 in Belgium? That was during height of the Nazi occupation...was it business as usual? Would gunsmiths have just gone about there business building sporting arms?
Then there is the question of what brought this rifle to South Africa?
Oh if only it could talk.
That is why I think it is not a u. It was not business as usual during either war in Belgium. During both they were occupied. Sporting arms were not the priority of the occuping force.
Africa makes alot of sense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Congo For a more critical acccount
http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/leopold.html Many Belgian firms made fire arms for the Africa trade. How this piece made it to South Africa would be a fascinating history.
Pete
