Winchester 1892 "crossed pennants" (not DCP) UK(?) acceptance

[Horilka]

Well, I got one and researching doesn't bring a lot, except this from Winchester collectors forum from 2022:

In addition (to DCP marked) there is the purchase of a 1,000 carbines by Lord Nunburnholme in February 1915 and then gifted to the nation. I have never found anything related to this purchase in the Mccracken Library unfortunately. I did contact the current Lord Nunburnholme but he had no knowledge of his Grandfathers time in the war. The family name is Wilson and they made their money in shipping.

Some Model 1892 SRC in .44WCF have been observed without the DCP mark but bearing a typical British ordnance proof mark of crossed pennants. These examples are rare.I have only recorded 3 (now 6) of these in my data base. It is not known for certain if this marking was applied to the Lord Nunburnholme purchase/gift but it seems likely.

I have 97 DCP marked Model 1892 carbines in my survey and with your carbine 4 known examples of a crossed pennant BRITISH proof mark, which is close to the proportions of 1,000 and 20,000

Since 2022 number of observed serials increased to 5 in total, mine is 6th... Anyone else has these "crossed pennants" Winchesters?
Also, I’m not a Commonwealth collector — how do you tell Canadian crossed pennants acceptance markings (like on BHPs) from UK crossed pennants, if there’s any difference at all?

 

[Mike Webb]

That's a new one to me. I've owned two DCP 1892'S and one DCP marked 1894. Never seen one with only pennants. But if only 6 recorded( by Bert on Winchester Collector Forum, Im guessing?) no wonder.

 

[Horilka]

Bert does '94 survey, he actually redirected me to another gentleman from Winchester Collectors Society. So far nothing significant, only 1915 DOM of all known six carbines.

 

[Antiquearmoury]

That is a British military proof marking.

They are actually crossed lances, for those who are curious about that sort of thing.

Your 1892 was part of several batches ordered / purchased by the British during WW1. The story of how these procurements happened is quite interesting in itself, some commercially purchased via agents, others via direct orders.

 

[pcvando]

I agree with above, that is a British military proof marking.

The 1892's in .44 cal were purchased by the Royal Navy in 1914/1915. Depending on the author / source, between 10,000 and 20,000 were purchased as part of a contract, however there are outliers, and the British did procure some very random commercial rifles too.

 

[Horilka]

So, there was a batch accepted by Canadian inspectors in USA, marked with "DCP". Where and who accepted these "crossed pennants/lances"?
Also Inglis BHP had crossed lances on the barrels, how do we tell Canadian crossed lances from British?

 

[Horilka]

Here is another piece of information.
- According to "Model 1892 and 1894 Carbines with Canadian Proof Marks by Rick Hill #3517LB":
DCP marked 1892 are in the range of 730,000 to 780,000.
- Known "crossed pennants" guns are:
7083XX - (this one is a flyer, so I don't count it)
777700
777955
780257
783722
788731
790944
Placing them at the end and beyond the range of known DCP guns.