Thanks fellows:
David; that is one of the checks that I preform on a hammer gun that interests me.
Dig; It seems that I can now use circa 1870 as an "earliest" date for a gun that has rebounding locks as well as one marked "not for ball". If both are present, then 1874 is a starting point.
With a tip of the hat to His St. Louis Lordship, I recognize that many do not care about a build date. I do, as it is interesting to know some history of the maker. These obscure makers need the light of day shone on their efforts, seems to me.
Best,
John
