That is awesome thank you. I wonder what the notches are meant to stand for on the musket..The hole pattern makes me think not. Butt plates are most commonly 2 screws centered in the plate. But I did find a pic that supports this one.
looks more home made but cant say it isnt one.
could be the top broke and they had to pry it off from the top making the edge curve outwards...who knowsNOT saying this isn't a butt plate, but WHY would someone stamp their makers mark on the inside of the plate???
NOT saying this isn't a butt plate, but WHY would someone stamp their makers mark on the inside of the plate???
Thanks for sharing your expertise! So, the name etched on the inside of a butt plate is more likely to be the name of the inspector, not the manufacturer?I am glad you asked that question as it addresses the way a firearm, particularly military firearms were made back in the day. On most arms all parts were inspected prior to assembly to check for and correct any flaws in the work. For the barrel you will have a "view" (they looked at it) and "prove" mark (meaning they fired the barrel with way more than a normal load to make sure it wouldn't blow up under prolonged normal use). On the locks every individual piece will have a mark and the lock plate will have the full name often.. Small parts got just a stamp. Big parts often got the full name of the inspector. It is not at all uncommon to find full names inside a butt plate. You can also find initials or just a mark (for instance the French will use a crown above a single letter).
Thanks for sharing your expertise! So, the name etched on the inside of a butt plate is more likely to be the name of the inspector, not the manufacturer?