2-piper, when I said the nitro proof didn't exist yet it was in reference to a required Nitro proof. The optional proofs with powders other than blackpowder were available according to proof rules and hopefully someday I will see a few of these optional proof marks to learn more. Apparently they confused even the folks using them as some were marked with the proof load data and others with a service load, resulting in a clearer definition for the law of 1911.
Hard to explain why this gun lacks the Prussia stamp when it was obviously an export gun headed to USA. I forget exactly when the US law requiring country of origin markings began, but I think it was earlier than this gun. I will have to go look that up.
Is this gun marked as Sauer and Son or Sauer and Sohn? If the later it would indicate it may not have been intended for export, again an incongruity with the VL&D markings.
