I don't think it's period. I'm put off by the misspelling of Arkansas. It's too prominent, right out there, spaced evenly. It just screams overdone. Many of the marked items that I have seen are much more discreet in their marking: on the back, smaller, abbreviated, etc. Arkansas had only been a state for 25 years. I sense that a soldier proud enough of his state would either abbreviate or spell it correctly. I think it's a vintage reenacting piece.