I just acquired this rifle. 30-40 Krag. No markings as to manufacturer at all (which according to some of the books that is not that unusual). I think the drop points are kind of cool. Tell me what you think or have questions about.....

Weren't the later ones made by Francotte for the British trade? Nice rifle;-)

Where are the proof marks usually located on the action?

The rifle has been rebarreled at some point in its life so all the nomenclature of the maker may have been on it. Dismounting the forearm revealed no markings on the underside of the barrel or face of the action. However the forearm has been on the gun, as is, for a longtime. I also dismounted the butt plate which I will post a picture of later today. It is stamped Germany on the inside. 
Reading the web and my books it sounds like many of these actions were made by Francotte after the patents ran out. Many were stamped "PD" and what that means is not fully known but believed to mean "Public Domain". This gun is not stamped as such at least on its outside. The only other markings are both front and rear sight are marked Lyman.

Here is something that is kind of interesting, I have no proof other then what was on the tag when I bought the rifle. The gun had been listed, on the website, as a "Ballard - Farquharson - 30/40 Krag". That was strange what connection to a ballard???? When I received it the tag on the rifle said "Farquharson made by Ballard Rifle Company, 30/40 Krag". What do  you think of that? As you may know the apparently now defunct Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company in Michigan had been playing with the idea of making a Farquharson, do you think this may be the rifle they owned to use as a model to make their rifle from. I bought the rifle out of Kentucky.

Thanks for the comment about a site member may having info about the Ballard connection if there is one. It doesn't add anything to the actual rifle but gun stories are always interesting I think. I hope he reads the thread and adds a comment. The barrel says "30-40". I will cast the chamber before shooting the rifle.
With regards to no marks, I am also surprised. I will at some point disassembly the rifle and maybe I will find some more information once all is bare in the open.

Here are 3 detail pictures. I share so that maybe we can further determine maker and era:
Buttplate is marked Germany and trade available in the early 20th century.
The grip cap also available to the trade in the early 2oth century. Common English scroll engaved
The last is of the cheekpiece and you can see the detail of the cut shadow line. If anything, this may stir some thoughts as to who did this detail

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I have added more pictures and information can be seen at this location.
There are now developments which indicate that this rifle may have been originally built by Griffin & Howe. 
Also there are many detailed pictures of the rear sight which if I do say so myself is a gem.

Wish I could take better pictures! This is one a friend showed me recently that he is selling. I believe it was .450 something?

LRF wrote on Dec 9^th, 2016 at 8:01am:


I know a lot about it Lynn. It was restored and engraved by my friend Robert Evans; one of the finest engravers in the Guild. I'd have to call Bob to get details on who he used as the stock maker, but I know who did the rust bluing. 
He asked me to sell the gun for him, but I have few contacts in the arena for guns of this level and price tag. Have a bunch of pictures also, but didn't want to clutter your thread with them. Here's a better picture of the wood:

LRF wrote on Dec 9^th, 2016 at 12:08pm:


Thanks Lynn! Bob is a great guy, and a master engraver. I own one of the first guns he ever engraved. A #4 Rolling Block that was basically a practice piece he did about 50 years ago. Always wanted him to do something on a gun for me, but it never worked out. He's done doing full restorations and big engraving jobs now. At over 90 years old he's semi retired and just does smaller jobs now.
He's tried to show me how to engrave and tells me how easy it is, but he is modest and also over estimates my abilities at my late years.

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Chris C wrote on Dec 30^th, 2016 at 6:09pm:


I think you're right Chris, but Bob always tells me he can't draw, and never could. He also says stuff like, "If I can do this, anyone can."
He's way too modest, and really wrong if he thinks I can do that! I've sat down and played at his bench with his Graver tool, and it's not easy to make good looking cuts.
Bob sold me the first cartridge rifle project he engraved; a Remington #4. And even 50 years ago I can see he had more talent than I could ever have.