Trapdoor Bayonets

[1mark]

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?

[Dick Hosmer]

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.

[1mark]

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".