This is for Beeps and DCMatt!
This is absolutely interesting. I am not saying "I am right, you are wrong" at all, but I'd like to state my facts! No offense to anyone!
1. If that was a crown proof, that would make this a P53 Enfield by default...Highly believable as it was the second most widespread small arm in the Civil War.
Except that isn't a P53 Buttplate.
2. That isn't a crown proof, it's a pressure flake from an overstrike or a corrosion spot. I'd bet my paycheck on it. Every crown proof has an accompanying numerical proof directly above and/or below the crown, whether or not it came from the London or Birmingham rifleworks.
Enfield/Tower lock plates have a standalone crown, but even it is drastically different.
3. Use of "I" and "J" interchangeably.
I am more than familiar with this logic, as it was actually introduced in the 1850's as the Playfair Cipher... However it was never actually utilized by Americans Until WW1.
The reason some cities choose to bypass "I" is due to the United States Postal Service having a hard time deciphering sloppy addresses, and can also be found in the way the current US Military utilizes a Julian Date Calendar.
Taking into account DCMatt's suggestion about "I" and "J" being used interchangeably, that would show the first line to read what I interpret as the "10th Infantry Regiment".
That works, because the 10th was out of Carlisle Barracks, which is like 20 minutes away from you in Shippensburg, Beeps!!! That is really a possibility I'd say!
4. The "E" script at the bottom if the plate... No evidence in multiple Enfield Proof charts show that Enfield used a single "E".
However, Springfield Armory's master armorer, Erskine S. Allin, worked at the armory from 1829-1878, used the exact same font on his proof mark.
(See attached picture below.)
The "E" is identical, and there are known examples of variations of his Initials, first letter/full last name, etc...
So - maybe it IS a crown, Maybe the "L's" and "B" stand for London and Birmingham, and maybe it ISNT the 10th Infantry... Perhaps it's just a bunch of random stamped assembly proofs that mean nothing. Maybe it was re-arsenaled, or maybe it was a war capture...
But it ISN'T an ENFIELD buttplate!
Here's what has me wondering though... After the Springfield M1816-M1842, all the buttplates on military-issued arms evolved into a more contoured shape, maybe added a screw hole, and/or became brass...
So what if this is Revolutionary War era?!?! That's a whole other situation I'll let someone else dig into!
Again, no offense was meant to anyone, just enjoy brainstorming with those who partake in the conversation!
I'm always open to hearing another point of view!
