LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - H E L P - Please. British Markings on a WW-I Luger

Johnny Peppers · 04-13-2002, 02:26 PM

A high number model 1903 Springfield or an M1 Rifle will withstand pressures in the 125,000 to 140,000 lbs. per square inch range, but the ammo is loaded to slightly less than 50,000 lbs. per square inch range. The proof load was around 70,000 lbs. per square inch, but there was no official US standard that required the rifles be marked with anything other than the P which indicated the weapon had been proofed. As London and Birmingham Proof Houses were official proof houses, I would have to assume that the markings indicated the proof loads used to test to British standards as the working pressures would be much greater. The London or Birmingham proof marking should guarantee that the weapon was safe with any standard cartridge loadings. It would be beyond most users knowledge to know what pressures the standard cartridges were loaded to so as to determine if they were within the working pressure of the weapon.

04-13-2002, 02:26 PM	#20
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: British Markings, proof pressure A high number model 1903 Springfield or an M1 Rifle will withstand pressures in the 125,000 to 140,000 lbs. per square inch range, but the ammo is loaded to slightly less than 50,000 lbs. per square inch range. The proof load was around 70,000 lbs. per square inch, but there was no official US standard that required the rifles be marked with anything other than the P which indicated the weapon had been proofed. As London and Birmingham Proof Houses were official proof houses, I would have to assume that the markings indicated the proof loads used to test to British standards as the working pressures would be much greater. The London or Birmingham proof marking should guarantee that the weapon was safe with any standard cartridge loadings. It would be beyond most users knowledge to know what pressures the standard cartridges were loaded to so as to determine if they were within the working pressure of the weapon.