Federal V. Contractor

[RSMorris]

Is there any way to tell if a part, say a M1863 hammer is a Springfield or Contractor?


Thanks

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I paged through Whisker, Hartzler & Yantz's "The U S Model Springfield Rifle-Musket" which covered the Model 1863s, too, and didn't see a clue there

 

[RSMorris]

I paged through Whisker, Hartzler & Yantz's "The U S Model Springfield Rifle-Musket" which covered the Model 1863s, too, and didn't see a clue there

I was thinking maybe a Federal inspector stamp would be a letter whereas a contractor would be a number. I have seen some with a letter and a number so maybe a contrctor stamped it and then a Federal. I have looked at other ways such as maybe the shield but haven't found anything concrete yet.