Hi,
I was looking through some old posts trying to find some information on the BL-4, as I was looking at buying a used one and I came found some infomation on this site. I did end up buying it, but some of the info that I've found in various places seems to be contradictory to the markings on my gun. I'll tell you what I have, and maybe someone can help me date it. It's a 12 ga. with 28 in m/f barrels.
Here's what I know:
1. No angel on bottom of receiver.
2. 3 stars in forearm indent.
3. Flat black plastic grip cap.
4. Here's what throws me: the proof marks on the bottom of the barrels. The mark is a normal number 1 followed by two Xs, like "1XX". The 1 is not an I, which would make it Roman Numeral 19. The "normal" number 1 is a bit abnormal, as the horizontal line at the bottom of the 1 is missing. If the markings were IXX or XX, this would suggest a manufacture date in the mid- to late- 1960s. But that doesn't seem to corresspond with the 3 stars or the plastic grip cap.
5. One other thing I can tell you: each piece is stamped with P30004. I haven't found any way to use this info for date identification.
If anyone is able to help me out, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks for your time.
Rick
I was looking through some old posts trying to find some information on the BL-4, as I was looking at buying a used one and I came found some infomation on this site. I did end up buying it, but some of the info that I've found in various places seems to be contradictory to the markings on my gun. I'll tell you what I have, and maybe someone can help me date it. It's a 12 ga. with 28 in m/f barrels.
Here's what I know:
1. No angel on bottom of receiver.
2. 3 stars in forearm indent.
3. Flat black plastic grip cap.
4. Here's what throws me: the proof marks on the bottom of the barrels. The mark is a normal number 1 followed by two Xs, like "1XX". The 1 is not an I, which would make it Roman Numeral 19. The "normal" number 1 is a bit abnormal, as the horizontal line at the bottom of the 1 is missing. If the markings were IXX or XX, this would suggest a manufacture date in the mid- to late- 1960s. But that doesn't seem to corresspond with the 3 stars or the plastic grip cap.
5. One other thing I can tell you: each piece is stamped with P30004. I haven't found any way to use this info for date identification.
If anyone is able to help me out, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks for your time.
Rick
