Unit Number / Rack Number

[Geologist]

The attached photograph shows what I believe to be a Unit Number / Rack Number. I could be wrong. The rifle is an 1888 with serial number 547,XXX. Can anyone help understand the ‘markings’ and perhaps identify the unit? The numbers '46'(top) and '49' (bottom) are nicely stamped on the butt plate below "US".

[Geologist]

29804

[Dick Hosmer]

Since both 46 and 49 are each too high for a "unit" during that period, and "4649" would be too high for a rack number from any period, my GUESS (bolstered by noting which two digits are involved) is that the "46" was a mistake, and the "49" represents the correct rack number of the rifle. Other interpretations are certainly possible, but that is mine.

The typical format for the period - appearing in many different shapes, media, and sizes is: "small number/letter, "A" to "M" or so, but never "J")/a number up to around 50 or so".

[Geologist]

Dick, Thanks for the reply, and most of the most of the rack / unit number that I have seen are as you described and usually on the stock. This is a stab in the dark. Could this be Rack Number 44 of the 69th Infantry Regiment which was one of twelve New York State National Guard units federalized for service in the Spanish-American War?