Identifying an odd proof mark

[Mister Dark]

Hello all. I am having problems with the ID on a proof mark on my Sempert&Krieghoff drilling. It is a bit hard to make out in the pic, but it has a crown over "VI" stamp on the barrels. I believe "V" would indicate a gun built before (I think) 1904, but the drilling also has Nitro proof marks, which I thought weren't in play until after 1904. So, what am I missing here? I am hoping to get a firm picture of the birth date of this piece. The local appraiser was able to narrow it down to "1880's to 1920-ish" - lots of help there.

Help me obi-wan, you're my only hope.

[Axel E]

That's not a "crown/V" = Vorratszeichen, but a "crown/W" = Wuergeborung mark, indicating a choke bored shot barrel. If there is a date stamp, post-1923 only, it is to be found under the rifle barrel.

[Axel E]

Please, post a photo of all marks and numbers under the rifle barrel. If the Drilling is pre-1912, the bore diameter is given with a gauge number, 118.35 or 108.49. If given in mm, 8.7 or 8.8, it is post - 1912. From 1923 on there may be a date, month and year, stamp.

[Mister Dark]

Ah, I had considered that for a while, but since the imprint was the same on both barrels, I just couldnt be sure. I suppose their engraving tool was a little worn out. That makes the most sense, glad you guys could clear that up.

Here is the rifle barrel. Based on the markings, we now have it narrowed down to 1912-1923, not too bad. There is an odd mark just to the left of the serial number, I think it was the barrel fitters' engraving, but it appears to have been worn down, so I can't say for sure. Also, you can see a "132" stamp to the far right of the rifle barrel - I have a guess, but no real idea what that could be.







Thanks for the help everyone!

[Axel E]

132 is most likely the proof date, January 1932. The other proofmarks also point to an early 1930s date. The rifle barrel was Nitro proofed for a service load 12 gramm = 185 gr Kupfermantelgeschoss = copper jacket bullet. The crown/E mark shows it was proofed for a higher than normal pressure load. Both informations speak for the 1930s DWM load #162, producing 2100 atm pressure instead of the then regular 1800 atm (copper crusher) max pressure.