That is the British commercial proof. There can be as many explanations as the imagination allows, but all it really means is that at some time that gun was registered in the UK or sold on the commercial market in the UK. It could have been a war souvenir or a gun sold to a Brit on the surplus market when they were allowed to own handguns. It may have been imported into the UK for reworking and exportation. In any case, any gun imported into the UK or sold on the commercial market in the UK must be proofed.
The only exceptions would be guns for the armed forces or guns held in bond.
Jim
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