Proof Marks
Browning proof marks. The PV surmounted by the lion indicates the gun uses smokeless powder. The spangled E may be a year code or controller countermark.
The Bufalo proofmarks were probably just an effort to imitate the Belgian marks. For instance, Gangarosa states that the “PV” only appeared in Spanish pistols in the years 1923-1927.
Copyright 2007
by Ed Buffaloe.