M or W

[RSMorris]

W or upside down M... what do you think?

 

[JOHN42768]

I'm inclined to go with M, but is it all alone or other markings?

 

[John Winn]

I'd say it's an M upside down. The wings at the top weren't common script. Rather, they were considered anchors if you will.

It would be most helpful to see the rest of the text.

 

[RSMorris]

I'd say it's an M upside down. The wings at the top weren't common script. Rather, they were considered anchors if you will.

It would be most helpful to see the rest of the text.

That is all there is to it. Just a single letter on a sear.

 

[RSMorris]

I'm inclined to go with M, but is it all alone or other markings?

It's alone. On a sear.

 

[RSMorris]

I'd say it's an M upside down. The wings at the top weren't common script. Rather, they were considered anchors if you will.

It would be most helpful to see the rest of the text.

here is the entire part ...

 

[lupaglupa]

I lean W. But who knows.

 

[John Winn]

I lean W. But who knows.

I think if the wings were slightly pointed downward it might be a W but given that they're horizontal I'm sticking with an M.

 

[JOHN42768]

I'm still sticking with M also

 

[RSMorris]

here is the entire part ...

I'm still sticking with M also

lol.... thanks guys...

 

[JoeCollector]

It's alone. On a sear.

A sear from what? 'W' for Winchester?

 

[RSMorris]

A sear from what? 'W' for Winchester?

M1863 Bridesburg from 1864

 

[aardq]

Since it's European, I go with a W. The Middle and eastern Europeans put the "flags" on many of their capitol letters. I'll guess that it is an internal acceptance mark.

 

[RSMorris]

Since it's European, I go with a W. The Middle and eastern Europeans put the "flags" on many of their capitol letters. I'll guess that it is an internal acceptance mark.

Not European

 

[Rhea Cole]

In the absence of any other information, consider the Confederate "M" rifled musket.

This excerpt from the article linked is food for thought:

"Ed Holloway, in his book Confederate Longarms and Pistols makes a good case that the M Rifle was built by English Gunmaker Walter Watson in Fayetteville, NC, for the Confederate firm Murdock Morrison (thus explaining the "M" stamped on the lock plate). Holloway notes several M Rifles exist that were stamped with Watson's cartouche. Holloway also noted that many of the rifles were crudely built and seemed to have been assembled from spare parts bought from England. In describing the M Rifle he writes, "The bands are cast iron or steel with numerous sand and blow holes and flaws. The side plate escutcheons are all different in various dimensions. The stocks are walnut and mostly hand enletted. All dimensions are different. Hammers were individually made by hand and their dimensions vary. The stocks are not cured well and are not as heavy as the Enfield stock. The stock panels around the lockplate and on the lefts side come to a sharper point similar to the stock design on the arms made in North Carolina."

Link:

Confederate "M Rifle" Enfield

www.lodgewood.com

Link:

Rare & Fine JP Moore "M Rifle" Enfield Rifle Musket

Rare & Fine JP Moore "M Rifle" Enfield Rifle Musket

collegehillarsenal.com

 

[RSMorris]

I appreciate the response but that is not what this is. This M or W is just an inspectors stamp on a part.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I appreciate the response but that is not what this is. This M or W is just an inspectors stamp on a part.

I think you would find, had you asked, that everybody who responded to the thread knew it was an M touch mark. That is why we moved on to more interesting things.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

What's instantly noticeable (to me) in the OP picture shown. Seems unusual to show only a half outwards serif, instead of a full footer/header serif, in any letter display. The displayed symbol might not denote a letter.

 

[RSMorris]

I think you would find, had you asked, that everybody who responded to the thread knew it was an M touch mark. That is why we moved on to more interesting things.

Thank you for your kind response. Some are still responding, such as yourself, so I do the decent thing and answer. You never know what you might learn. Are you triggered because I disagreed with you?

 

[RSMorris]

What's instantly noticeable (to me) in the OP picture shown. Seems unusual to show only a half outwards serif, instead of a full footer/header serif, in any letter display. The displayed symbol might not denote a letter.

What do you think it denotes? My curiosity in this and what I am trying to determine, is if the serifs have a standard usage such as if it should be on the bottom or top of the letter. If you think the "letter" is denoting something else, would be happy to hear. For example, here is another one, again on a M1863 lock part, without the "wings" I am thinking maybe an inspector could make the decision to whether or not to have wings on his stamp.