CFA Firearm Identification & Historical Significance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the proof mark 'BNP' (within an oval) indicate on a firearm?
- Birmingham Nitro Proof, indicating the gun passed UK smokeless powder proof testing (Correct answer)
- Belgian National Proof, a standard Belgian commercial proof mark
- Bureau of National Proof, a US government inspection mark
- British National Patent, indicating a patented design
Correct answer: Birmingham Nitro Proof, indicating the gun passed UK smokeless powder proof testing
BNP within an oval is the Birmingham Nitro Proof mark, certifying that the firearm passed the UK's proof test with smokeless powder loads.
Question 2: The Colt Single Action Army revolver is historically associated with which era?
- American Civil War (1861–1865)
- American Old West (1873–1890s) (Correct answer)
- World War I (1914–1918)
- Korean War (1950–1953)
Correct answer: American Old West (1873–1890s)
The Colt Single Action Army, introduced in 1873, became iconic during the American Old West era and was widely used by cowboys and lawmen.
Question 3: Which feature most reliably distinguishes a flintlock mechanism from a wheel-lock mechanism?
- Flintlocks use a spinning steel wheel; wheel-locks use a flint striking a frizzen
- Flintlocks use a flint striking a hinged steel frizzen; wheel-locks use a spinning serrated wheel against pyrite (Correct answer)
- Flintlocks use a percussion cap; wheel-locks use loose powder in a pan
- Flintlocks are self-contained cartridges; wheel-locks require separate priming
Correct answer: Flintlocks use a flint striking a hinged steel frizzen; wheel-locks use a spinning serrated wheel against pyrite
Wheel-locks ignite by a spinning steel wheel creating sparks against iron pyrite, while flintlocks use a flint striking a hinged frizzen to produce sparks.
Question 4: A Mauser C96 pistol's distinctive feature useful for identification is:
- Its rotary magazine mounted behind the trigger guard
- Its integral box magazine in front of the trigger guard and distinctive broomhandle grip (Correct answer)
- Its double-action-only trigger and polymer frame
- Its top-breaking frame and rebounding hammer
Correct answer: Its integral box magazine in front of the trigger guard and distinctive broomhandle grip
The Mauser C96 is immediately recognized by its integral magazine ahead of the trigger guard and the round wooden grip called the 'broomhandle.'
Question 5: What is the significance of a 'cartouche' stamp found on military firearms?
- It indicates the firearm has been re-blued at an arsenal
- It is an inspector's or armory acceptance mark verifying the gun passed inspection (Correct answer)
- It denotes the caliber of the firearm in metric measurement
- It is a proof mark from a civilian testing laboratory
Correct answer: It is an inspector's or armory acceptance mark verifying the gun passed inspection
A cartouche is an armory or inspector's stamp applied to confirm the firearm passed quality and acceptance inspection during military procurement.
Question 6: The Luger P08 pistol was the standard sidearm of which military force?
- United States Army during World War II
- Imperial German Army and later the Wehrmacht (Correct answer)
- British Royal Army during World War I
- Soviet Red Army during World War II
Correct answer: Imperial German Army and later the Wehrmacht
The Luger P08 was adopted by the Imperial German Army in 1908 and remained in widespread German military use through World War II.
Question 7: When examining a Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle, the serial number is most useful for:
- Determining the exact country of manufacture
- Dating the firearm and confirming factory originality of its configuration (Correct answer)
- Identifying the individual soldier who carried it
- Verifying the barrel length was factory-standard
Correct answer: Dating the firearm and confirming factory originality of its configuration
Winchester's detailed production records allow appraisers to cross-reference serial numbers to determine manufacture date and original factory configuration.
CFA Firearm Identification & Historical Significance 2
What does the proof mark 'BNP' (within an oval) indicate on a firearm?