I agree that the crossed palm fronds without a crown are indeed some sort of in-house mark of quality as one poster on Passionlachasse mentioned. But for whom? There are no barrel maker marks on the three AB guns or on the MF gun so presumably it might have been the AB fabricator who placed them on the AB guns and on the MF gun either MF or the unknown barrel maker (Jean Breuil according to the Passionlachasse poster).

There looks be two types..the more "feathery"
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

and the ones that closely resemble those found on the 1913 Manufrance.
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

As Tom mentioned who put them there ramains an outstanding question. They certainly are not on most French guns from the period. For now I'll assume that the bottom crossed fronds were indeed Jean Breuil in-house marks of quality (even if his name is not on the barrels) as the poster opined. As for the top ones.....can't say.

As for dates....the three AB guns are most likely post-1924 if our understanding of the CM/MM changeover in Saint-Étienne is correct. The Manufrance is dated to c1913 per FAB500 but he noted the lightening bolt MF proof mark - begun in 1924....he could not explain the dichotomy. Gene

Last edited by Argo44; 01/17/25 05:50 PM.
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