I have noticed that some Trapdoor bayonet have beside US stamped on them a small letter below the US. I have seen S, J, A, and T. I cannot find any reference to the single letter.
Is it an inspection stamp or place of manufacture?
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I have noticed that some Trapdoor bayonet have beside US stamped on them a small letter below the US. I have seen S, J, A, and T. I cannot find any reference to the single letter.
Is it an inspection stamp or place of manufacture?
Sorry, but I do not recall, offhand, but when you consider that a great many M1873 bayonets were reshaped and blued using obsolete M1855-1870 bayonets, some of which were contractor-made, as the base, the plot thickens. Stamping of the U.S. varies as well, of course.
Well that makes sense. The small letters than are more likely manufactures applied in lieu of inspector stamps. Yes the "US" does vary in size and I have seen several double stamped "US".