"W" marking on muskets

[RSMorris]

I have noticed now on about 5 different Civil War Muskets the letter W crudely carved in but the same way including one of my own. I have included pics of two of them. Any ideas? Seems kind of odd to be carved the same way in the same area.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

This would not be the way any unit or army marked arms - but think of it this way - this could be a W or it could be an M and I think that there were plenty of soldiers with the last name beginning with W or M.
I also think that sometimes an unskilled writer might do a M or W since it is all straight lines, even if they would not try an O or other curved line letter!

 

[JOHN42768]

The counterpane being the area for most cartouches. Guess they figured a nice flat surface to carve on.

 

[MAPMFF]

1862 P53

 

[7thWisconsin]

My 1861 repop is marked that way so I can find it quickly in a stack.