Odd place for a proof mark

[Westerner]

For years thought this was a ding in the wood. Stahl target rifle.


http://s154.photobucket.com/user/wes...gczpl.jpg.html


Joe.

[mike ford]

Westener,
This is not a proof mark per se. Rather it is a mark that shows the gun was either in the course of manufacture or "in stock" when the proof law went into effect in early 1893. In other words, it shows the gun was "before the law".
Mike