Hello Vic,
Brit proofs on Lugers are a frequent source of questions.
The short answer to your many questions is it depends on the gun and the proof mark.
Most by far Brit proofs on Lugers and Mausers are as a result of the late Sam Cummings of Interarms using warehousing in Great Britain to store his wares, which included many Navy Lugers. By British Law, these guns had to be proof marked..there is a whole lot of legal riga-ma-role that goes with this but basically a government shakedown to extract a few bob for each gun stored in the UK.
Having said that, there are a *very* few guns that have UK proofs that were capture pieces.
In my collection is an interesting 1916 navy that was smuggled into Ireland from German Intelligence operatives to assist in causing the crown problems during the "Troubles". It was intercepted by the Government and sat in the Castle in Dublin for many, many years.
It is now in my hands with paper trail to the Irish government. A nice piece, about 95% outside and 100% inside..like damn near unfired.
Tom A.
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