Proof Marks from A Sauer 12x12/.30-06

[dougk]

After reading a great post on Sudesh's drilling and seeing the interest in proof marks, I am posting the proofs from a Sauer drilling I am looking at.

There is a lot of information in the proof marks and not a lot of literature on the topic.

[sudesh]

Here is something I found which could be useful.

Regards,
Sudesh.....

[sportclay]

This was proofed at the Eckernforde (Kiel) proof house after 1952.  The Eckernforde mark from '52 to '68 was an oak leaf after '68 it is a sytlized oak leafdifferent from the Kiel mark on this drilling.  I believe there is a '66 date on the rifle barrel.  The circular mark just in front of the "30-06 Spring" on the bottom of the rifle barrel, I can not make out.  Are there any triangular marks with letters or a number within the triangle?  The letter marks on each barrel are likely the initials of the barrel maker or inspector.  Gauge and chamber length are self explanatory. This was made for export.  Show us some pics of the rest of the drilling.  Looks like a nice piece!!

[sportclay]

http://www.gunshowbooks.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=GS146146

Info on proof marks are out there.  I haven't found a single definative book that cover all countries and all time periods.  Back in the late 60's and 70's Gun Digest published at least 8 well written articles on proof mark history by Lee Kennett.  The link above will get you a book on proofs but very little detail on the history of the mark and why changes occurred.  One problem arises from the individual proof houses and the people who worked there adding their own marks inaddition to the required marks and the makers adding numbers and marks that have significance only to them, i.e, quality acceptance marks, makers initials, assembly numbers,etc.
I have dozens of books that partially cover a specific country or maker.  Every time I look at something I learn something new or have another unanswered question.
Here is another link to brief article on German proofs.
http://www.germanguns.com/technical.html