Barrel Codes/ Stamps/ Chokes

* designates full choke (F).
*- designates improved modified choke (IM).
** designates modified choke (M).
**- designates improved cylinder choke (IC).
**$ designates skeet (SK).
*** designates cylinder bore (CYL).

12 ga choke restrictions:

Choke restrictions:
Cylinder - .000"
Skeet - .005"
Imp Cyl - .010"
Light Mod - .015"
Mod - .020"
Imp. Mod. - .025"
Full - .035.

Note: These sizes are for 12 gauge only.

Depending on who makes the choke, or what manufacture there is a slight difference in what each one calls Skeet, Modified etc. This list is the closest that I could find to the auto 5 barrels that I measured. NOTE: You may get a slightly different measurement.

Belgian Proofmarks
Belgian proofs are among the oldest and have a very long history. But despite the history the belgian proof stamps are rather straight forward, normally one can’t get more information from the proof more than it has been done if one can’t find the inspectors mark.

The inspectors mark is still an secret so the list here should be regarded as uncertain, but it can in some cases give a more accurate dating that the stamps.

The date stamps is not used on all guns, otherwise that is the most accurate.



Proof Mark

Valid

Proof House

Type of Proof



1924->

Liege

Mark for voluntary treble temporary or provisional proof on unfinished barrels



1924->

Liege

Mark for voluntary double temporary or provisional proof on unfinished barrels



1893->

Liege

On barrels of muzzleloading guns that has passed a re-enforced black powder proof.

On barrels of breechloading shotguns after final black powder proof.

The same stamp but smaller is found on Flobert guns, selfloading pistols with a excess proof pressure of 50%, on barrels of top break guns for Flobert or revolvers cartridges an excess pressure of 30% and or revolvers which are proofed with 30-50% excess loads.

Introduced to designate arms proved in conformity of German Proof Law of 1891. Now represents definitive black powder proof except for muzzle loaders



1891-1959

Liege

This mark is found on barrels and locks after voluntary semi-smokeless proof

Standard smokeless powder proof on military rifles below 8mm caliber.
1898-present

Standard smokeless proof for all arms.
1903-present

R

1846-1889

Liege

Mark applied to barrels which failed proof and have returned to makers for reworking



1894->

Liege

Designates rifled barrel. Introduced for handguns in 1894, rifles over 8mm in 1897. Since 1924 used on all rifled arms.



1852 ->

Liege

Provisional black powder proof for breech loading guns, since 1924 reserved for smooth bore barrels. Between 1847-1952 the stamp with the letter “F-J C” was used in the same purpose.



1959->

Liege

Superior smokeless proof



1853-1877

Liege

Example of inspectors mark, any letter can be used with a crown.



1877->

Liege

Inspectors mark, normally these are kept secret



1672 - 1810 and since 1853 ->

Liege

The perron mark, used:

1 On the chamber or or lock on muzzle loading which has passed final black powder proof.

2 On barrel locking system or chamber if the lumps are part of the barrel after final black powder proof



1852-1853

Liege

Preliminary proof for unfinished barrels, and indicated barrels had not been weakened after proof by breeching, Used on muzzle loaders

18.0

1810 ->

Liege

Bore diameter in millimeters. Until 1894, stamped in .02mm graduations, then in 0.1mm steps

CHOKE

1898-1910 (1924)

Liege

Choke designation

CHOKE 17. 16.3

1897-1910(1924)

Liege

Degree of choke, in this case 0.7mm constriction



1910-1924

Liege

Degree of choke, in this case 0.7mm constriction

CHOKE 17.0

1924->

Liege

Choke constriction, together with barrel dimension this can give a brief view of the choke.



1898 - 1924

Liege

Mark for optional superior provisional proof. The mark was seldom requested



1892-1924

Liege

Chamber dimensions in millimeters shotguns undergoing smokeless proof. Length of chamber over diameter of chamber



1968 ->

Liege

Smokeless powder proof for rifles



1924->

Liege

This mark is found on guns that is not made in Belgium by countries that use proofs that is not recognized by the Belgian Proof House. The mark is applied after the gun has passed the Belgian proof.



1810 - 1853

Liege

Double proof as prescribed by the French law of 1810.



1810 ->

Liege

Black powder proof for rifles and shotguns. Can be without star and ring.

In it’s small version it’s a acceptance mark on barrels that was exported in a unfinished state 1846-1893

In it’s small version it’s a black powder mark on small pistols and revolvers barrels 1866-1893

In it’s small version it’s a black powder mark on small revolvers cylinders 1866-1893

CH B RAYE

1893-1924

1930 ->

Liege

Guns with rifled chokes

CH RAYE

1924-1930

Liege

As above

NON RAYE

1894-1924

Liege

Not rifled, on smooth bore barrels

NON RAYE 94

1894-1894

(1894-1924)

Liege

Variant of the one above, used for some month in 1894 and sometimes later on...

EXPRESS NON RAYE

1894-1898

Liege

Mark for smooth bore express rifles

NON POUR BALLE

1878-1897

Liege

Not for ball, indicates that the barrel has choke

1K355.5

1892->

Liege

Weight of proofed barrels, after 1924 fractions of grams no longer used.



1924->

Liege

On barrels and actions of smoothbore guns with the gauge size (or nominal bore) plus the shell or cartridge case length



1924->

Liege

Preliminary proof for unfinished barrels



1898 to 1924

Liege

On barrels and actions of smoothbore guns with the gauge size.



1891->

Liege

Smokeless powder proof of military rifles until 1903, thereafter indicates nitro proof for all types of arms.



1891->

Liege

On barrel action of breech loading shotgun after the gun has passed proof with semi-smokeless powder . SCH or EC is abbreviations of the powder: SCH meaning Schultze.



1891->

Liege

On barrel action of breech loading shotgun after the gun has passed proof with semi-smokeless powder . SCH or EC is abbreviations of the powder: SCH meaning Schultze.



1897-1903

Liege

Maximum service load for shotguns having undergone smokeless proof. Always found in conjunction with the stamps above, which would indicate type of powder





Liege

Mark identifying the Belgian Proof House



1924->

Liege

Applied to all guns made but not proofed in Belgium - sent to an other country proof facilities.



1924->

Liege

Applied to all gun not made in Belgium but proofed in Belgium.