diff --git a/include/boost/python/detail/signature.hpp b/include/boost/python/detail/signature.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..354e54dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/boost/python/detail/signature.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+#if !defined(BOOST_PP_IS_ITERATING)
+
+// Copyright David Abrahams 2002. Permission to copy, use,
+// modify, sell and distribute this software is granted provided this
+// copyright notice appears in all copies. This software is provided
+// "as is" without express or implied warranty, and with no claim as
+// to its suitability for any purpose.
+
+# ifndef SIGNATURE_DWA20021121_HPP
+#  define SIGNATURE_DWA20021121_HPP
+
+#  include <boost/mpl/at.hpp>
+#  include <boost/type_traits/is_same.hpp>
+
+#  include <boost/python/detail/preprocessor.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/iterate.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/iteration/local.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/repetition/enum_trailing_params.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/repetition/repeat.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/cat.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/dec.hpp>
+#  include <boost/preprocessor/if.hpp>
+
+#  include <boost/python/type_id.hpp>
+
+#  include <boost/python/detail/invoke.hpp>
+#  include <boost/python/detail/type_name.hpp>
+#  include <boost/python/detail/indirect_traits.hpp>
+
+#  include <boost/type_traits/is_reference.hpp>
+#  include <boost/type_traits/is_const.hpp>
+#  include <boost/type_traits/is_volatile.hpp>
+
+namespace boost { namespace python { namespace detail { 
+
+struct signature_element
+{
+    char const* basename;
+    bool lvalue;
+};
+
+template <unsigned> struct signature_arity;
+
+#  define BOOST_PP_ITERATION_PARAMS_1                                            \
+        (3, (0, BOOST_PYTHON_MAX_ARITY + 1, <boost/python/detail/signature.hpp>))
+#  include BOOST_PP_ITERATE()
+
+// A metafunction returning the base class used for signature<class F,
+// class ConverterGenerators, class CallPolicies, class Sig>.
+template <class Sig>
+struct signature_base_select
+{
+    enum { arity = mpl::size<Sig>::value - 1 };
+    typedef typename signature_arity<arity>::template impl<Sig> type;
+};
+
+template <class Sig>
+struct signature
+    : signature_base_select<Sig>::type
+{
+};
+
+}}} // namespace boost::python::detail
+
+# endif // SIGNATURE_DWA20021121_HPP
+
+#else
+
+# define N BOOST_PP_ITERATION()
+
+template <>
+struct signature_arity<N>
+{
+    template <class Sig>
+    struct impl
+    {
+        static signature_element const* elements()
+        {
+            static signature_element const result[N+2] = {
+                
+# define BOOST_PP_LOCAL_MACRO(i)                                                            \
+     {                                                                                      \
+         type_id<BOOST_DEDUCED_TYPENAME mpl::at_c<Sig,i>::type>().name()                    \
+       , is_reference_to_non_const<BOOST_DEDUCED_TYPENAME mpl::at_c<Sig,i>::type>::value    \
+     },
+                
+# define BOOST_PP_LOCAL_LIMITS (0, N)
+# include BOOST_PP_LOCAL_ITERATE()
+                {0,0}
+            };
+            return result;
+        }
+    };
+};
+
+#endif // BOOST_PP_IS_ITERATING 
+
+