This is very interesting. I just picked up one of these in the 22XX i serial range not previously knowing where they came from. Since buying it I've come across a number of others all in the same 2000i to 4000i serial range. Simpsons has or had about 3 of them on their website.
Characteristics are really similar between them other than the location and layout of the crown N proofs. Mine is found on the barrel above the serial number aligned with the bore, on the frame above the takedown lever vertically and on the front toggle link left side laying down with the crown to the front. It also has the white under the safety lever and the cross and shield over the chamber. Mine has the Germany stamp vertically on the rear of the frame. I've seen it under the serial number up front, on the left side of the frame and on the right side as well. Seems to be no standard place for it.
I've not seen under the grips of the others buy mine still has the old style mainspring area with the notch at the bottom where the frame hadn't been milled out completely as they did later. If the bridge for the mainspring lever weren't there I could run an old flat mainspring...it is a long frame with the grip safety.
I originally bought it thinking it would be a good shooter. Bore is really near perfect and condition is excellent all around. Maybe I should shoot my more worn private series 06/29 instead.
Frank
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