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Cap n ball · February 18, 2002, 10:04 AM

According to Balderson's 3rd edition of 'Gunmarks'. That stamp is a Belgian proof for 1893/94.

Not safe to shoot without a bench test and a good look-over by a competent gunsmith. I wouldn't use modern ammo in it in any case. Old barrels can be brittle and fracture.

A 'choke' is a constriction in the barrel that determines the pattern or spread of shot at distance. I'm not sure what 17.3 means in modern terms. Once again ask your gunsmith.

February 18, 2002, 10:04 AM	#2
Cap n ball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2000 Posts: 247	According to Balderson's 3rd edition of 'Gunmarks'. That stamp is a Belgian proof for 1893/94. Not safe to shoot without a bench test and a good look-over by a competent gunsmith. I wouldn't use modern ammo in it in any case. Old barrels can be brittle and fracture. A 'choke' is a constriction in the barrel that determines the pattern or spread of shot at distance. I'm not sure what 17.3 means in modern terms. Once again ask your gunsmith. Last edited by Cap n ball; February 18, 2002 at 10:51 AM.