Hi Norm,
I think that since there were concentric ring wood bottoms used in commercial guns through the 1920,s, there has to be something more definitive to base a claim of Imperial Navy upon.
For certain, a Crown M on any type bottom would qualify as Imperial Navy; likewise the large numbers running lengthwise,IMHO, should be prima facie evidence of Imperial Navy provenance.
Beyond that, I would think that a recognizable Navy property mark would also substantiate Imperial navy, but thats about as far as I would go.
Damn, these Navy guns are interesting!
Tom A.
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