Letter on Civil War Special Model Musket parts

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

I can't remember which one of these 3 ( L G & Y, Amoskeg or Colt ) has the letters T , B or an A on the nose caps. I found one in my collection of parts and want to properly ID it. I know they only appear on this model. Thanks to all.

[Robt. Propst]

Bruce, on my 1861 Colt with a lock dated 1862 and NJ surcharges there is no mark on the nosecap.

On my 1862 dated LGY there is no mark on the nosecap. There are no remaining cartouches on the wood, but it is F marked C and R.

Hope this helps, Bob

[geezmo]

Bruce,

I have a very nice, unmolested, '63 dated, Federally inspected Colt. It has a "W". In the Hartzler, Yantz and Whisker book "The U.S. Model 1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket" they mention an L.G. & Y. which they observed with a "C" on the nose cap. I don't see any mention of the part in their discussion of the Amoskeag's. If I come on anything else, I'll let you know.

Barry S.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Thanks to those responding!

[Muley Gil]

I was under the impression that a "C" stamp stood for "Condemned." :confused:

[Carolina Reb]

I suspect that these are inspection marks on subcontractor made parts. Springfield and most of the major contractors subbed out a lot of parts production (such as bands, buttplates, nose caps, trigger plates, etc. etc.) These would have been inspected and marked before delivery. I've seen loose nosecaps, M1863 and '64 bands and most other metal parts with these letter stamps. My M-1870 Trapdoor has an F on the offside of the top band. These parts are interchangeable between Springfields and Special Models.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

the same as Springfield or other Contract muskets. Only some of the barrel bands are interchangeable. Really nothing more. Thanks to our old friend Scotty Moyer, myself and others can tell the difference.