Regarding barrels, I found the following text from >>Modern Breech-Loaders<< interesting:
>>...Gun-barrels are proved by the same scale both in London and Birmingham, and with the same strength of powder adopted by the Government for small arms......
.....Barrels with foreign proof-marks are exempted, except in the case of being marked as of English manufacture.
Foreign barrels converted in England are deemed unproved, but if they are only converted and immediately exported they are exempt from penalties, but due notice must in all such cases be given to the proof-masters. Old muzzle-loaders intended fro conversion must be subjected to provisional and definitive proof, if of English manufacture.....<<
Cheers,
Raimey
rse
