Roman numeral markings

[CT_civilwar_buff]

What do the Roman numerals mean on guns during the CW?Especially like v and vp thanks.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

I can't tell you exactly what you are looking at without at least a description of where the markings are located and what type of gun you have.
However, it seems to me that the V and VP you are talking about are likely barrel proofs and are not Roman numerals. V means that the barrel has been viewed and inspected. P means that it has been proofed, or test fired, and has passed the firing test. Those marks are most commonly encountered in addition to an eagle head.
Actual roman numerals encountered on muskets are typically reassembly marks. The majority of arms used in the Civil War were non-interchangeable so component parts were marked to allow them to be identified as belonging to one gun. Arms that were manufactured with interchangeable components are sometimes encountered with reassembly markings as well.

 

[DixieRifles]

There is no Roman numeral "P".

 

[1stMN]

Yep, they're proof marks.

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18654

 

[Patrick H]

Do you mean marks that look like these on a Spencer carbine? Clearly, there are Roman numerals, struck right over other numbers on this barrel. I can't tell you what they are, but if you can confirm that you are seeing something like this, or if you can post your own pictures, I am pretty certain someone will answer the question accurately.

 

[CT_civilwar_buff]

It's actually not a Roman numeral its this:



My apologies.
Darren

 

[rapco]

As for weps with Roman numerals research seems to point to Confederate State rework marks, where captured weapons were reworked at the larger workshops of the CS before being reissued. I have an Austrian 29.5" Kammer-Karabiner relic dug at Gettysburg back in 47' that has XVll scratched or engraved on several parts including the Barrel and inside lock. Though the Union purchased 10,000 they were no longer used by Federal troops that late in the war so believe this little carbine was lost by a Confederate Cavalryman.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

As for weps with Roman numerals research seems to point to Confederate State rework marks, where captured weapons were reworked at the larger workshops of the CS before being reissued. I have an Austrian 29.5" Kammer-Karabiner relic dug at Gettysburg back in 47' that has XVll scratched or engraved on several parts including the Barrel and inside lock. Though the Union purchased 10,000 they were no longer used by Federal troops that late in the war so believe this little carbine was lost by a Confederate Cavalryman.
View attachment 94437

Being that the Austrian M1842 Carbine was produced as an Augustine Consoul Tube Lock arm, the roman numerals on yours are most probably from the percussion alteration process and not Confederate in origin. However, if no Federal units were carrying these at Gettysburg then the CS attribution is still pretty solid.

Cheers,
Garrett