Crown over B

[yamoon]

Hello
Reading the 3 references on German proof marks I have the explanation is clear as mud. I have schuetzen rifles with a crown over B and a German eagle mark, if I understand correctly, the Crown over B is a definitive single proof using the first heavy proof load. The rifle maker can request this proof if the rifle being submitted is in the finished state. Crown over U is not present. So my question is what does the German eagle mark indicate?
Thanks Mike

[mike ford]

Mike, I have delayed responding to your question, because I am not very sure about the answer and I hoped Axle or someone else more knowledgeable would respond. As you stated, the crown B is a definitive single proof using the "first heavy proof load". It was often used on imported arms that were already finished. The imperial eagle is the normal mark for the provisional proof, which was a heavier load. My uncertainty is whether the eagle was necessary with the crown B to represent the use of the provisional proof load for the single definitive proof or if it's use with the crown B is redundant since the use of the provisional load is included in that mark. If someone else gives a differing opinion, I will defer to theirs.
Mike

[yamoon]

I love old German single shots, most of mine are 100+ years old, but I will use modern methods to try and find answers, this is a summary of what Googles AI said. A manufacturer could submit a rifle in the finished state except for bluing for a single definitive proof and a crown B mark would be affixed, the crown U would not be applied as the checking for cracks or other damage would be rolled into the crown B, an eagle mark is still required to indicate the proof was done under the “Reich’s” authority/standards. Every time I use AI I worry we are becoming obsolete, but it is so handy I can’t resist.
Mike