STS stamp

[vmicraig]

I have an acquaintance with an STS stamp on his M1851 - Has anyone seen this specific stamp before? Very deep and heavy, it does not match any of the known military schools of the time that I could find by initials.

He has a theory that could be plausible. There were 5 pattern guns made at Springfield and sent for testing and approval. Sts could be Samuel Thomas Shorewood? He was a carpenter and gun Smith attributed with making the 1847 carbines and the 41 and 51 cadets

 

[Lanyard Puller]

I've got one also. I'll try to get some photos of it before leaving for Franklin. Mine is stamped on the left butt of the stock I think

 

[vmicraig]

I've got one also. I'll try to get some photos of it before leaving for Franklin. Mine is stamped on the left butt of the stock I think

Any idea what it is? Perhaps an armory or militia storage site that might have marked them? A GAR unit?

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

I'm very curious to see what you all come up with.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

I'm sorry this took so long, but I've got my VMI and Citadel stuff separated and didn't open that case. Bingo.. the 2 that I had are sold, and your photos were or my former guns.

Here's photos of the two mysterious "S.T.S." mark both on P51 cadets. Note the different back drops.

Note the difference in the period after the final "S". Stamped or branded letters??


Now...On to Franklin !

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I say branded. It would take too much pressure to strike so deep, I think. In a new sappy pine two by four, even that would be tough. But stamping so deep into walnut wood would be tough.
One thing is clear - the person who marked this wanted it to be crystal clear that this gun was marked STS, and visible from a distance.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

The only thing I can gather is that "STS" are someone's initials. In probably wrong of course.