Here is the ad courtesy of Gary Cripps
"The barrel of this gun has been proved with 9 1/2 drams of powder, and 2 1/2 ounces of shot."
It is very likely the rough forged tubes were proved by loading
from the muzzle with a breech plug, as the 1888-1890 Birmingham Proof House Trial
https://docs.google.com/a/damascusknowle...TEK8OtPYVA/edit Just to remind everyone,
Hunter Arms proof tested their barrels in house and the statement “All L.C. Smith guns are guaranteed to shoot any Nitro Powder made” appeared in advertisements as early as
1894.
The Smith listings in the 1907 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue had this Notice “All our guns are tested with heavy loads and cannot burst except by carelessness, obstruction in the barrel or improper home loaded shells with nitro or dense powder.”
Hunter Arms proof marks first appeared about 1922
LTC Calvin Goddard writing in
Army Ordnance in 1934, stated that Hunter Arms proof tested 12ga 2 3/4" chamber barrels at 14,300 psi, but that would be about 1000 psi higher by modern piezoelectric transducers.
Parker Brothers 1893 Catalog
“Our guns are bored on the latest improved system for shooting Nitros, or Smokeless Powder, and all our guns are tested with some one of the most approved makes, and a tag accompanies each gun, giving the results of such a (pattern) test.”
Remington Arms Co. catalogue in October
1894, which introduced the Remington Hammerless Double Barrel Shotgun stated "The Remington Guns, both Hammer and Hammerless, are especially adapted to all nitro powders, and every gun is thoroughly proved, tested and targetted, before leaving the armory."
