(Also posted on the Fox site)
There are three types of barrel marking being discused here. The ones on this gun were done with individual letter stamps aligned with the top rib. Notice how they do not follow the taper of the barrels, but do follow the edge of the rib as aligned by placing the stamps against a guide resting against the rib.
Also, note how the letters are equally spaced from the rib and each other (relatively), but some of the stamps/letters are skewed or twisted. Otherwise it is a pretty good job of marking with the cheap but convenient stamping method.
(I hate conjecture, but ... notice how the stamping gets worse as if the stamper was getting tired of finding, placing, aligning and striking all those infernal stamps?)
The two other types of markings are roll dies, with lettering placed around a wheel and applied to the barrel so that only one letter touches the barrel at a time, but also machine letter dies as above.
The third method is hand engraving, as is a small chisel cutting essentially free-hand as are the border cuts at the end of these barrels.
I have heard that Becker was an engraver, and a fine craftsman. This lettering is not engraved, nor is it roll-marked as the factory markings are done. It does show some degree of professional care. Not as nicely as I would hope Becker would do... Find some other stamped Becker barrels to compare.
For future reference, my own Fox is well documented....
Best,
Steve
