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Hansli, that is very interesting information. I was wondering if they used Swedish barrels because Sweden was neutral and German steel production was geared for military priorities. Your history of Simson seems to confirm that.

Pete

Pete, I'm only speculating as to why Swedish steel was used. This would have been pre-war so neutrality probably didn't influence the Swedish connection, but I do know that German manufacturing was technically limited by the Treaty of Versailles and any increased capacity for steel was quickly consumed by illegal and clandestine rearmament.

When the 1896 Swedish Military Mauser was first introduced, it was manufactured in Germany, I believe, with the insistence that Swedish steel be used. The reason given in the sources I've read centered on at least the Swede's belief that their steel was superior at that time to any German equivalent. Certainly, the quality of Swedish steel was recognized in this period as excellent.

Wow! What a wonderful forum. Every post a significant thought or fact. I thank each of you for your input. I'll try to get a camera and learn to use it to send photos of proofmarks etc. Found a 1975 gun digest which covers german proofs. These all appear to be german, from Suhl proofhouse, with a few additional marks- on barrels- 1039, possible date? crown U, crown W, crown S, Nitro, 16/1, circled 16, suhl in oval with pointed left end, and on underqtr. of bbl next to the plate J M PORT , Possibly hand stamped, different font, 'J' is very clear. On each bbl circumscribed by an oval is some kind of script. Possibly p.St. Now on rec'r,'stage'? each side has a heavily angular styalized capital 'G'. The manyfeathered eagle appears 7 times. 6 on bbls once on stage, all ser.#s match. Many thanks to all of you for the info you've sent and for anything you may interpret from this new information.

Highly suspect the 1039 is the date of proof. If so that would be Oct 1939. 10th mo of 1939. This would be compatable with the time Simson was named BSW.