Originally Posted by
AirSupply
I have a theory on the numbers stamped on the Falke 80/90’s
First why have numbers at all? A particular gunsmiths could have had his own mark he used to identify the parts he was working on. Han’s could have a x Frank a 0 etc. That would have been simple. If they really wanted serial numbers the guns could have been stamped numerically just before bluing.
My theory is they were producing a batch of guns. It was always to be a finite number. Falke where I’ve read the first to start producing Airguns after the war. So maybe Herr Falke is shown the new English Airsporter and there are some very keen gunsmiths chomping at the bit to work. The English contact can distribute the guns and so there is an agreement to make say 200 sporters and 100 match guns.
So the numbers are a list the gunsmiths working there way through. The work standard is high but occasionally 2 or 3 gunsmiths stamp the same number. Bit annoying perhaps but in the overall scheme of things this doesn’t matter to much as long as they keep track of total numbers. Of course they have to be a bit careful not to mix parts.
So what about those odd high numbers? Well what if you stamp your parts say 23 and notice immediately the guy working with you has done the same! So you stamps a 3 in front of it. Now you have 323.
So your working towards a goal in numbers produced but the odd duplicate isn’t that bigger deal as long as the order is met.
What do the brains trust think?
Michael