I was doing some maintenance on my Early Howa AR-180, one of the first 1000, and found a barrel marking that I have never seen documented before.
It was hiding under the operating rod return spring and I never noticed it till I had it removed. What does it stand for? Howa Precision Rifles? I don’t know for sure.
Do you have any thoughts?
If you want to know more about these early Howa AR-180’s check out these older articles of mine.
POSSIBLY COULD BE HOWA FIREARM PROOF (hPf)…….
SOOOOO,,,, I WENT AND LOOKED AT BOTH TOYS,,,, STERLING DOESN’T HAVE “PROOF” MARK,, COSTA MESA DOES HAVE, IN SAME SPOT AS YOURS…. GUNNEY
I haven’t seen any proof marks on my Costa Mesa guns. Any chance you can shoot me some pics of yours Gunney?