Hi, has anyone ever seen anything like this before? The two little brass screws on either side of the lock plate? What might they be for? Some have suggested a removable cover (leather or some such) to cover the action during inclement weather (the screws might just be 'plugs' to fill in the holes when the cover attachments weren't used?). I don't think they're for any type of repairs or reinforcement. The stock looks perfect inside the lock and out. In fact it's probably one of the nicest pieces overall that I own. The bluing/browning of the barrel is in great condition as are the bands.
It's a Ward and Sons Tower piece per the stamp on the stock, barrel, and lock. What someone had mentioned is that the 'scratches' on the butt plate resemble a Masonic symbol. I had noticed the main, deep V but haven't really noticed the smaller and lighter inverted one inside it until seeing the photos I took. Does those look like a purposefully, if not hastily or at least shoddily made inscription?
Being that it's an 1862 date, a Ward and Sons 'import' (a well-known Birmingham contractor who exported guns to the Confederacy), and maybe a Masonic symbol, maybe it could've been a piece that made it through on a blockade runner. But in all likelihood, judging by it's very fine condition I seriously doubt it ever saw heavy use, especially in a civil war.
But back to the screws....any idea? I haven't attempted to remove them for fear of buggering them up. They don't look as if they've been disturbed in a very long time. In fact I don't think the lock had been off for an equally long time before I'd unscrewed it.
It's a Ward and Sons Tower piece per the stamp on the stock, barrel, and lock. What someone had mentioned is that the 'scratches' on the butt plate resemble a Masonic symbol. I had noticed the main, deep V but haven't really noticed the smaller and lighter inverted one inside it until seeing the photos I took. Does those look like a purposefully, if not hastily or at least shoddily made inscription?
Being that it's an 1862 date, a Ward and Sons 'import' (a well-known Birmingham contractor who exported guns to the Confederacy), and maybe a Masonic symbol, maybe it could've been a piece that made it through on a blockade runner. But in all likelihood, judging by it's very fine condition I seriously doubt it ever saw heavy use, especially in a civil war.
But back to the screws....any idea? I haven't attempted to remove them for fear of buggering them up. They don't look as if they've been disturbed in a very long time. In fact I don't think the lock had been off for an equally long time before I'd unscrewed it.