trw999, it's not three lions but three leopards on the England football badge. Why they refere to themselves as the 'Lions' is a misnomer.
As you rightly say the Lion Rampant can appear on many coats of arms. I have a wolf's head baying to crescent moon on mine. Might be vampires in the family! The Scottish Royalty bit was good salesmanship I think.
It looks like a high number on the Midland Gun so would likely be around the late 30's. There should be a Proof House code letter on the barrel proof marks somewhere. Look for a small crossed sceptre mark which will contain a number; usually a 1,2 or 3 and one or two small letters. This will give the year it passed through the Proof House. If you can read it I should be able to interpret it. Lagopus.....
