Possibly a worn die stamp?
I've pondered a bit more on the "N" craftsmen and at a minimum I've omitted Friedrich Nschel & Johannes and Stephan Nothnagel, if either had any descendants. But many, many craftsmen lost heirs in The Great War/WWI and the pool of talented craftsmen was diminished with one example being H.A. Lindner's sohne Ernst Lindner(about 1/2 way down):
Landsturmm LINDNER Ernst 06.07.1883(Birth) Suhl (Schleusingen-Pr.)
16.06.1915(Death) Bellewaarde
http://www.denkmalprojekt.org/Verlustlisten/vl_wuertt_rir_248_batt2komp5_wk1.htmhttp://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post150554These sites give insight as to the pre-WWI craftsmen potential.
And the makers filled the production task gaps with mechanization based on wartime advances.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse