Steamed Foley et al,
It is my understanding that when the late Sam Cummings, founder and CEO of INTERARMS, decided to store the majority of his inventory in the UK (And a substantial inventory it was, something like the equivalent of 200 freight cars or as Steamed Tac would say "goods carriages")a deal was cut between HM government to the effect that there would be a representative sample of pieces proofed at Birmingham and, assuming success, the balance of inventory would receive BNP proofs.
I have ABSOLUTELY no documentation of this, it was told to me by a long time INTERARMS employee some years ago. I have, however, owned 'brooms, toggletops, P-38's and the odd M1911 that had the BNP *Not English Make* stamp. The anecdote seems very reasonable and logical; I shall choose to believe it until a better explanation comes along.
This guy had the best job in the world, but more about that some other time.
Tom A.
|