I am not that well versed in the English proof marks, isn't it a bit unusual to have two Crown Vs on the action flat? Usually I see a single V on each piece,(action and barrel assembly). And look how deeply the V is struck compared to the patent and use marks. There certainly should be more marks than we are seeing here. Also can't recall seeing the bottom of the barrel flats on a damascus gun so heavily etched. Thought they were usually filed to flat after the etching anyway so they fit right. Too many weird things here for me- I would pass unless it was at wall hanger pricing.
Drew I just noticed something else. Look at the second circular swirl left of the left most letter on the lower barrel in the photo. Has a line through it indicating the edge of the ribband. Compare it to the swirl just forward of the underlug which also has a line through it. I don't recall ever seeing two exact swirls repeated and I bet there are more. Also look at how the swirl pattern climbs off the barrel and up onto the barrel flat at the flats rectangular front corners. How would a ribband carry that up the 90 degree slope like that?
Last edited by Jerry V Lape; 02/23/12 02:01 PM.
