Spanish proof marks on 1981 15-3
- Thread starter foudufoot
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Alk8944
US Veteran
They mean the gun was imported to Spain at one time. Subsequently it was re-imported to the US by Century Arms International.
Only one is familiar, the center one. If that is a letter "N" above the shield like symbol, it could be Suhl, East Germany
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foudufoot
Member
Well done Bucky! Spanish proofs indeed:
Star Firearms: Dating your Star Pistol with Proofmarks
The proof year is 1982 (B.2) consistent with the year of manufacture (1981). The E-bomb is probably Eibar's revolver proof, athough I still need to confirm this. Automatic pistols got the P-bomb and military got the I-bomb. Some earlier revolver were marked with an R-bomb, so the E-bomb significance and origin is still unclear.
Star Firearms: Dating your Star Pistol with Proofmarks
The proof year is 1982 (B.2) consistent with the year of manufacture (1981). The E-bomb is probably Eibar's revolver proof, athough I still need to confirm this. Automatic pistols got the P-bomb and military got the I-bomb. Some earlier revolver were marked with an R-bomb, so the E-bomb significance and origin is still unclear.
The 'E' marking is applied by the Spanish Proof House if the imported arm has no proof markings applied from is country of origin at all.
Or the proof marks on a gun imported to Spain are not accepted by the standards of the Spanish Proof House.
The marking shows that the firearm has passed both provisional and final proof in Spain.
It's usually stamped on the barrel and the frame both. Sometimes you'll also see it on the cylinder of a revolver or a bolt of a rifle in addition but not always.
Or the proof marks on a gun imported to Spain are not accepted by the standards of the Spanish Proof House.
The marking shows that the firearm has passed both provisional and final proof in Spain.
It's usually stamped on the barrel and the frame both. Sometimes you'll also see it on the cylinder of a revolver or a bolt of a rifle in addition but not always.
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foudufoot
Member
Thank you gents! I am tempted to buy it because it is a Combat Masterpiece, but the CAI imports marks just destroy the collector's value and the $350 asking price seems a bit high for shooter. Thoughts anyone?
palmetto99
Member
My 581 has some odd proof marks. Always wondered. Could be Spanish, I'll have to take a closer look. The revolver was 98% when I bought it. Can't imagine that it was ever issued for carry.
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