C broad arrow mark
- Thread starter y2k
- Start date
The C broad arrow was used until the early 1950’s, but not sure when the C sold out of service marking stoppped being used. Observationally, I would say the 1920’s some time, but that’s just based on the dates of observed rifles I have seen and when they were likely sold.
Many sniders would have been surplused before the C-arrow came into use. You sometimes see M&D marked sniders with British style opposing arrows, or no sale marks at all.
Many sniders would have been surplused before the C-arrow came into use. You sometimes see M&D marked sniders with British style opposing arrows, or no sale marks at all.
Last edited:
From what I understand the last place any sniders saw service was at the royal military colleges in Kingston, Saint Jean and Royal Rhodes as ceremonial arms.
Not sure when that ended.
Some are still in use at the fort in Kingston, but with parks Canada.
Not sure when that ended.
Some are still in use at the fort in Kingston, but with parks Canada.
Even more interesting for it to be in a 1914 lithgow mkIII.
Generally Canadian troops did not often encounter Australian ones very often in ww1.
It makes me wonder if it’s one of the rifles the Australians shipped to the UK in 1914 for British army use, and was perhaps turned over to Canada when the Ross was withdrawn.
Generally Canadian troops did not often encounter Australian ones very often in ww1.
It makes me wonder if it’s one of the rifles the Australians shipped to the UK in 1914 for British army use, and was perhaps turned over to Canada when the Ross was withdrawn.
Hello gents. The C broad arrow was initiated in 1907. The Snider was withdrawn from service in the Maritimes about the same time. The Canadian Sales Mark (C with converging broad arrows) would have been initiated shortly after 1907. So a Snider or Martini with a C broad arrow indicates dispirsal from government stores after that magic 1907 date. At that time
Canada had military districts and the military with centralized arrogance kept the old unserviceable stuff in the Maritimes
and also in many parts of the west. It was expected that the East would supply manpower for naval emergencies. The newest item I ever saw with a factory placed C broad arrow was a rifle made 1944. The C broad arrow was normally applied at factory of origin. Unfortunately one of the last auctions had original C broad arrow dies so with misuse who knows what will show up.
John
Canada had military districts and the military with centralized arrogance kept the old unserviceable stuff in the Maritimes
and also in many parts of the west. It was expected that the East would supply manpower for naval emergencies. The newest item I ever saw with a factory placed C broad arrow was a rifle made 1944. The C broad arrow was normally applied at factory of origin. Unfortunately one of the last auctions had original C broad arrow dies so with misuse who knows what will show up.
John
Repro dies have been around for years. you need to look at a rifle as a whole to gauge if you believe it is what it purports to be.
Hi Claven2. I don't want to rain on your parade but as an experienced old fart with over 60 years experience I can say that I have never seen a fake C broad arrow stamped on a metal part. Too much delicate work to make and harden a die I guess.
Maybe others can enlighten me by posting forgery pics. I have 2 original dies. If I remember there were 5 sizes. My large one
is 1/2 in.made by Hadenman of Montreal and my smallest is 1/8 in. made by Lepage Bros of Montreal. Both are C broad arrow stamped with a different size die. I have never used them to forge a stamp. John T.
check seller waffenamtshop on e-bay or the same seller’s webstore. They make hardened c-broadarrow stamps in all the typical styles and sizes.
Originals do pop up from time to time, there were several in the last Switzers auction.
Hi Polkey. Yes I did see all the listings. In over 50 years of going to Gun Shows in Ontario frequently I have only seen a group of original C broad arrow stamps appear once on a table for sale. My mentor got all 5 sizes while I only got 2. We never used them to fake marks on rifles to increase value. People who get caught faking lose their reputation pretty fast amongst us
collectors. I also think that the cost plus ship/duty to import the new stamps from Germany would inhibit most sales. These were not available 20 - 30 years ago. They even have a stamp for the Mk III Ross butt stamp. Its not worth it in the long run. JOHN
collectors. I also think that the cost plus ship/duty to import the new stamps from Germany would inhibit most sales. These were not available 20 - 30 years ago. They even have a stamp for the Mk III Ross butt stamp. Its not worth it in the long run. JOHN
Hello, that is me.
Those ones aren't getting used for fakes, lol. They're also pretty small sizes not usually seen on firearms. One of them matches the C broad arrows on my grandfather's surplus mess spoons, lol.
Actually these exact same dies had went up last year for way more. There was also one other in that 2024 auction that hasn't popped back up, yet.
