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Doubs · 07-02-2002, 06:12 PM

At one time all non-British made firearms were required to be prooved by one of the Proof Houses and so marked. About 1960 my father bought a new-in-the-box 1911A1 Colt from "Ye Olde Hunter" for $39.95. Made in 1943, it carries British proof marks and was part of the Lend Lease material sent to Britain during WW2.

Exactly when this practice stopped, I'm not certain because ALL US-made firearms sold in Britain are still required to pass their Proof Houses. That's because we, as a nation, do not require our guns to pass proof. All European proofs with the exception of Russia are now accepted by Britain as valid without going through their houses. I think quality control issues with Russian guns are a problem so all Russian guns must be proved. Large numbers of Russian shotguns are sold in Britain each year and are excellent value.

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07-02-2002, 06:12 PM	#7
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,750 Thanks: 839 Thanked 1,816 Times in 598 Posts	At one time all non-British made firearms were required to be prooved by one of the Proof Houses and so marked. About 1960 my father bought a new-in-the-box 1911A1 Colt from "Ye Olde Hunter" for $39.95. Made in 1943, it carries British proof marks and was part of the Lend Lease material sent to Britain during WW2. Exactly when this practice stopped, I'm not certain because ALL US-made firearms sold in Britain are still required to pass their Proof Houses. That's because we, as a nation, do not require our guns to pass proof. All European proofs with the exception of Russia are now accepted by Britain as valid without going through their houses. I think quality control issues with Russian guns are a problem so all Russian guns must be proved. Large numbers of Russian shotguns are sold in Britain each year and are excellent value.