Weird stamp question '43 LongBranch .303

[colin455]

I have this one in the lockup and noticed that the "Made in England" stamp on the barrel is split and not aligned. Is this normal? No damage to barrel to bring this on. Factory defect or just common and I never noticed it before? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

The other stamps are just to help date it.

 

[eos]

Sloppy double strike of a commercial marking.

 

[buffdog]

Markings

Sloppy double strike of a commercial marking.

Agreed. Many of these rifles were "sporterized" after WW2 in England, by both large and smaller gunmaking firms.

It appears that someone held the "Made in England" marking punch at an angle and hit it, then realized the mistake. Unfortunately, they didn't align the punch or moved it when they stamped it again.

This is an export rifle that was shipped out of England. The USA did not require Origin markings until about 1968. If the rifle was intended for use in England, it would have been stamped "Not English Make".

The barrel has the date of manufacture, (43) and the Canadian proof marks (the crossed pennants with D C P) and also British proof marks.

A typical sloppy stamping, where the stamp was not held at the correct angle or hit on the side.
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