Common sense prevailed; with the exception of astragals and fillets, many of which were simplified or dispensed with, embossed decorations had largely disappeared by the 18th century, and no marks of any kind appeared on a gun before proof. If it passed proof necessary markings only were engraved on the metal, ie cut with hammer and chisel. They were usually limited to the Royal Monogram, weight, date of manufacture, the broad arrow (signifying Government ownership) and the register number. On brass ordnance the monogram of the Master General of the Ordnance (after 1855 the Secretary of State for War) was also engraved on the chase. Thus if the gun failed proof much less time and money were wasted than with the older system. As iron gradually superseded bronze guns became even plainer because in casting iron did not lend itself so well to the reproduction of intricate designs, particularly of an embossed nature. Essential marks only were engraved after proof.

A feature of early guns was the incorporation of lifting handles at the centre of gravity called dolphins which animals they were made to resemble. They had first to be carved in wax as with other embossed decorations already mentioned. However, Gunners at last realised that one end of a sling around the cascable and the other round a piece of skidding inserted in the muzzle was a better way to lift a gun. Lifting handles were soon made plain, ie lost their dolphin shape, and by the end of the 18^th century were becoming rare.