In order for a civilian firearm produced in a CIP member state to be legally imported to another CIP country, it must bear the proof mark of a CIP member state military testing standards are, predictably, different than civilian ones. Over the next few decades, other countries established their own safety standards and proof houses, along with their own unique marks. Guns that passed testing were stamped with a mark representing the proof house. Leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles Inafter heavy lobbying from the London Gunmakers Companya London-area firearms guild, King Charles I issued a Royal Charter setting firearms safety standards. The first proof marks started appearing in 15th century France, and by the 17th century, European firearms guildsmen were heavily promoting their use - and lobbying their governments for laws requiring them - primarily to dissuade competition from non-guildsmen and scare potential purchasers away from un-proofed guns. But like many government regulations, their origins have more to do with self-interest than safety. In modern years, they truly do serve that purpose.
