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Well, this one was a fluke acquisition on trade almost two years ago, but for $100 into it, it was hard to go wrong.

That said, the more I handle it, the more I find I'm liking it.

Seriously re-worked/sporterized, but VERY well done ......

Proof marks on the wrist band read:
(Crown proof)
L.S.A.Co.L
1906
S[size:8pt]HT[/size].L.E.
1*

Original forearm reworked, but with a very nice piece of walnut for the buttstock.

Action smooth, and clean. Barrel not shot out, leade excellent, lands and grooves sharp and distinct with no pitting or corrosion....... but easily the DIRTIEST, NASTIEST bore I've ever tried to clean. After 8 total hours of scrubbing out stuff that you could plant potatoes in (the only thing I can figure, given the color, was the old wax/Lubaloy bullets and some old lubed lead bullet residue), I said enough, and it's reasonably clean..... I'll see how she shoots and try more cleaning later. If, I can ever find the proper rear sight.

Here's are the pics (apologies in advance for being a rather poor photographer):

The full set of markings as found on this one are as follows:

Wrist band reads:
(Crown proof)
E.R.
L.S.A.Co.L.
1906
SHT.L.E.
1*

The right rear of the bolt, on the cocking piece, reads:
(Broad Arrow proof)
(Crown proof)
98
B (Birmingham Small Arms "B")

Back side of the bolt handle is marked "Y" over 5737.

The safety is emblazoned "III"

The left of the receiver, right in front of the gas port, is marked:
(Crown proof)
E.R.
(Crossed flags)
P

To the left of that mark is:
(Crown proof)
X (L.S.A. proof)
67

Those same proofs are continued on the barrel, left side, just ahead of the receiver as:
(Crown Proof)
E.R.
(Crossed Flags)
P

(crown proof)
X
67
(Broad Arrow proof)

Just to the right of those proofs is:
(Crown Proof)
50
E
with a large "P" to the right of those marks.

Very light, and slight to the right of those proofs, near the flat on the chamber end of the barrel is:
(Crown proof)
VB
E

The right side of the barrel is marked near the flat at the chamber with two sets of proofs, the first (faint) reads:
(Crown proof)
C (may have been overstruck over an E or a K)
E

Below that proof, and right up to the receiver, are:
(Crown proof)
X
46

The SN is the same, and struck the same, on both the receiver and the barrel, right side, just above the stock line:
60526
K

The underside of the barrel, has a LOT of proofs. They read (left to right):
(Crown proof)
X
89

then,
(Crown proof)
X
89

then,
(Crown proof)
X
17

then,
(Crown proof)
39
E

then,
(Crown proof)
X
38

then,
double struck (Crown proof)
double struck X
double struck 61

then,
(Crown proof)
X
17

The rear barrel sight was removed, but just below where that sight would have been is the "HV" proof stamp.

The trigger guard is stamped on the bottom, center, with:
(Crown proof)
34
K (or X, very faint)

Right side of the trigger guard is stamped with an inverted "M", and a sideways "Z".

Trigger is broad arrow proofed on the left, and "35" on the right.

The charger on the bolt is stuck on the underside with crossed flags, and an illegible proof (looks like a bursting bomb), and topside with (Crown proof), over X, over 39.

The magazine release is marked with a broad arrow to the left, (Crown proof) over H2 over E on the right.

Sear is marked Broad arrow near the trigger connection (lower leg), upper leg is marked (Crown proof) over D8 (I think) over E.

Edited by CptCurl (31/07/10 01:42 AM)