Help Decipher Inscription - 1849 Pocket

[ConfederateCanuck]

Hi folks...looking for some help. Somebody hand-scrawled a name on my Colt 1849 Pocket. I am terrible at deciphering script, and I've seen some Forum members pull off miracles...so here are several very similar pictures taken with varying angles/light to try to reveal as much as possible. Can anyone make out the full name? If needed, I can crop the photos for close-up views of particular "letters"....just let me know what you need. Thanks folks! I know you will do your best!!

 

[lelliott19]

Sorry. This one is tough. There are so many squiggles and lines. I really have no idea. I enlarged the image and increased the contrast. Maybe someone else can do better than I.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Its a start...could lead to a breakthrough, you never know. But its a toughy for sure. Forum members love a challenge!

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Wait a second....I think its Robert...then a capital E, and the last few letters....could that be Leo? Len?

 

[Gary Morgan]

100% not certain on this one, but "To NOS..." or "To MOS..." The numbers at the end look like 1/7 or maybe 177.

It almost looks like there was a faint inscription, then a second one done over it. This is probably another case of "You'll never know for sure..."

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I do believe there are two different inscriptions on here

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

100% not certain on this one, but "To NOS..." or "To MOS..." The numbers at the end look like 1/7 or maybe 177.

It almost looks like there was a faint inscription, then a second one done over it. This is probably another case of "You'll never know for sure..."

I kinda wondered myself too. I appreciate the sleuthing. Now I need to find time later today to try and see what you guys see. Hopefully we get more clues from others.

 

[19thGeorgia]

I see "G W L---"

 

[JOHN42768]

Yikes! I see unknown first letter,second letter as a small s, next as a capital M, next as small c, next as capital L, unknowns the small r.
?s McL???r Good luck

 

[UCVRelics]

It is a tough one. I can't make out much. Whats up with the overlap serial# ?

 

[19thGeorgia]

I see "G W L---"

Might be wrong, but that's what I see...

 

[lelliott19]

Ahhhh. I see the "W" now. Im not sure about the "G" though. Think it could be something else.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Good effort guys. Thanks...and keep trying please. I think its in MS Paint or another program, but I am going to try using the "convert to drawing" effect and see what comes up ...you know, the effect that converts a picture into a pencil drawing. I'll get back to you with the image soon as I get it done.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

So this is what I was able to get done before my wife threatened me with a bayonet charge (gotta go prep stuff for a BBQ we are hosting):

I haven't focused much on the letters before the M....but I am speculating that the name that starts with the M is McSorly. The "M" is clear, so is the "S" (though it could also be an "L" it is more in the shape of an "S"). The "o" could be a "u". There could be an "r" or an "n". 2nsd last letter could be an "l" or a"t". I see a "y" as the last letter. It could also be McGuinty?

Rather than the name of a person, could somebody have inscribed a place name? A unit name? Are the letters to the left of the "M" a rank? I am merely opening up our minds to the possibilities, as it might help "break the code".

I'll get back to working on this later, though it is a big challenge to get this one solved with any certainty.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

It is a tough one. I can't make out much. Whats up with the overlap serial# ?

Dunno...I never noticed the overlap before. Just goes to show that we should careful inspect every inch of our antique weapons cuz you never know what you might find. I'll the check the other serial number stampings but as I recall they were all single sharp stampings.