Opinion on this Luger and it's proof/insp marks
 

[B]Hello,
Intrested in this Luger [http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=157007989 Any imput on it's proofs and inspection marks relating to it's history?http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=157007989

Thanks,Bill/B]

Looks like British proofed and then sent to Israel.

Definitely an Israeli proof, but I can't make out the chronology. When was that type of British proof used? I would guess that the Luger would have had to have arrived in Israel pre-1950, as post-1948 the Czech sources of wartime arms were closed and by 1950 Israel would have been concluding arms deals that would not seem to have included 1940 Luger pistols. In addition, Britain was not a major source of arms for pre-state Israel. It is always possible that it was surplused out of Israel and later got a commercial proof in England.
Just some thoughts that revolve around the dating of the British proof marks.

there does seem to be a difference of opinion here folks.........
 

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Not necessarily, just some more information needed.

The crowned circle marks with the letters inside are British (Birmingham proof house) proofs in use since 1925 on arms of foreign make.

Are there any variations in the Birmingham proofs to determine year or period?

Hi, The Birmingham system of proofs is described by Buxton in "The P38 Pistol", Vol. III, page 117. It is extremely complicated. The date code is incorporated in the crossed swords symbol, which is not visible in the pictures this seller has posted. I am posting photos of Birmingham proofs dated 1963 on a 41 42 that i own. Regards