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January 8, 2025
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Curious about what everything means stamped on the underside of my 1895 carbine barrel. SN dates to 1922. I know what some of them mean, but for educational purposes, it would be nice for an expert here to answer all of them.
Thanks,
Adam
November 7, 2015
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Is it a 30-06?
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Off the top of my head the MNS indicates Midvale Nickel Steel, the circle VP is a proof mark and the 1906 hints at a 30-06 Springfield chambering. The number closest to the receiver is intriguing.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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The number next ot the receiver is a “22” and is the barrel date. The “VP” in oval is the “Violent Proof” marking, indicating a successful 200% proof load. The triangle with an “i” in it is a standard inspection stamp found on nearly all pre-WW II barrels. The “1906” identifies it as a 30-06 barrel. “MNS” is Midvale Nickel Steel. The sideways “c” is most likely another inspection stamp.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 17, 2012
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From left to right,
22 is the barrel date,
1906 is the caliber (.30-06),
the letter is an inspectors mark,
the “I” in a triangle is the “General Inspection” passing mark,
the “VP” is “Violent Proof” which is the type of proof it passed,
the M.N.S. means “Midvale Nickel Steel” which is the supplier and type of steel,
the last mark I cannot see clearly.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
July 17, 2012
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Dang, Bert beat me to it, I need to learn to type faster!
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
January 8, 2025
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Yes it is 30-06. The barrel has some strange tool marks on it, so I always assumed it was a replacement. Maybe not. That is a strange (2) stamp. Thanks for the comments appreciate it.
November 7, 2015
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I was trying to make the first number “82” but “22” certainly makes more sense as a barrel date!
Mike
January 8, 2025
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TXGunNut said
I was trying to make the first number “82” but “22” certainly makes more sense as a barrel date!
Mike
I thought 32. But you can barely see the same odd line on the rear 2 just lighter.
December 30, 2011
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Hello
I don’t agree that VP always meant Violent Proof. This is at least my best understanding and opinion on it. To start, here are a few examples that do support that meaning, apparently and specifically on shotgun barrels:
However, it appeared to both Dan Shuey and I that it must have had more than one meaning, or its definition changed. I worked with Dan at length on magazine articles and in the Model 1895 book on this subject. I was going to write out a longer post with more photos, but that can all be seen and read in the book and also in the Summer 2018 magazine. Photos in the book and article will especially pertain to VP being marked on the underside of a Model 1895 rifle barrel. Here is an example of VP meaning something other than Violent Proof. Provisional Proof involved a heavy load of powder and slug in an unfinished barrel. The VP definition is at the bottom of the document:
Note that in some examples, the VP appears to have been applied prior to finishing or additional stamping:
And then Violent Proof, as mentioned here:
Merton A. Robinson, long-time Ballistician and cartridge designer at the WRACo, wrote the following in a 1948 letter to Edwin Pugsley, along with C.S. Comeaux, Secretary of SAAMI:
“…As a matter of interest, there is also attached one (1) label headed “Violent Proof” for the M/73. This represents our first loading of Violent Proof loads, the name of which was eventually changed to Definitive Proof.”
These are Violent and Definitive Proof cartridge box labels. These cartridges were intended to be fired in a finished, complete rifle, not an unfinished barrel, and passing the proof would eventually (1905?) result in the Winchester Definitive Proof mark being applied. I also have one surviving ledger of “Violent Proof” cartridge loads. Like factory Standard Cartridge loads, full factory boxes still exist.
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