[pbkent]

I have an old rifle (.22 caliber I believe) octagon barrel 24" long with no information visible. Once I carefully detached the barrel from the stock and then the trigger guard etc, I found some markings stamped onto the underside of the barrel and other parts of the trigger assembly and trigger guard. I have not been able to identify the marks and was hoping for some info/guidance.
I have attached a few pictures of the marks along with descriptions as to their locations. Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[dfariswheel]

The ELG and Star in the oval is a British proof mark used from 1811 to 1892 for the Liege proof house.

I assume this is for guns made in Belgium, since a common Belgian proof mark is the same ELG and Star in an oval, only with a crown on top of the oval.
It was a proof for black powder rifles.

This rifle will almost certainly not be safe with modern .22 ammo, even if it will chamber.

 

[Charlie Petty]

:thumbsup:

 

[pbkent]

Thanks for the info dfariswheel. I have since started digging around and have confirmed your tip on the ELG and star in oval. The JJ with crown above it and the cursive initials I have yet to identify exactly. The Z with the star over it appear to be an inspectors mark though I can't confirm that yet because the only inspector I have found with the Z mark conflicts with the timeline of the ELG and star in oval so I am still digging.
I appreciate your help and also the warning about modern .22 amo as I read that even a .22 short would be unsafe.
Still open to any suggestions on the other marks.

 

[Skeptic49]

How about a .22 Short CB cap? It's about the only ammo in .22 Rim Fire I can find locally.
Geoff
Who is annoyed, but it was predicted, over and over and over and .......

 

[BrentB]

Thanks for the info dfariswheel. I have since started digging around and have confirmed your tip on the ELG and star in oval. The JJ with crown above it and the cursive initials I have yet to identify exactly. The Z with the star over it appear to be an inspectors mark though I can't confirm that yet because the only inspector I have found with the Z mark conflicts with the timeline of the ELG and star in oval so I am still digging.
I appreciate your help and also the warning about modern .22 amo as I read that even a .22 short would be unsafe.
Still open to any suggestions on the other marks.

PBKent - I appear to be in a similar boat as you. My father passed away last year and mom has given me his guns. I have one VERY similar to what you've posted. I'm told it was my gr. grandfathers. I didn't even know my dad had this and now it's too late to ask.

So, my question is, have you found out anything new? I've not taken mine apart yet, but my visible proof marks are the same except that I have a Y w/ a star above it, not the Z like you do.

I've just started my research and found this forum, so patience to a newbie! Does anyone know what the Y* would be? I'm assuming it's older than the gun this post started with, but that's just my guess. Thanks in advance. Oh, I've found this sight for the Belgian guns with the ELG star oval, but haven't started digging yet...lots of info here! http://bit.ly/X0T2ar
PBKENT - go to the J section on this link and click on the Jaspar J. link...this may be of help.