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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Accoutrements and Accessories >> Markings on a Pattern No. 3 Sergeant's Wrench
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1143830885

Message started by paetnyc on 03/31/06 at 7:48pm

Title: Markings on a Pattern No. 3 Sergeant's Wrench
Post by paetnyc on 03/31/06 at 7:48pm

Here's a photo of the bits 'n pieces that go to make up a scarce Pattern No. 3 tool that was made by the firm of Richard & William Aston of Birmingham, probably in late 1858. The tool's parts are extensively covered with letter and number marks, especially a 4 over 60 or as seen on the tool's body: a 4 beside the number 60.

I believe the 4 may be a unit number, say for a battalion and the 60 an equipment number. Perhaps the "B" is a Company letter. I have one other Pattern No. 3 tool where the tool's body is marked "4 60 K 1".

I'd certainly appreciate any ideas, thoughts or references that you might have about these markings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/nygtca2/EfdToolPatt.jpg

Title: Re: Markings on a Pattern No. 3 Sergeant's Wrench
Post by A._Roads on 04/01/06 at 1:29am

Hi Dave,
I don't know for certain & am sure that others here will give certainty, but will hazard a guess:

I would have thought that the 60 is a regiment #, the 4 is the Battallion, the B is the Company & the 2 is the item number.

Battalions were usually referred to as e.g., 1/95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot etc. So 4/60th would represent 4th Batt. of 60th Regt. Which aligns with the style of marks you have.

These were issued to Sergeants so the item number per company wouldn't get very high. There were approx 10 Companies per Batt which would be lettered A - K (assuming the "i" isn't used in confusion with "j") - this fits your samples of B & K.

Thats my theory that I hope someone can correct or clarify. Regards, Adrian.

Title: Re: Markings on a Pattern No. 3 Sergeant's Wrench
Post by Bill_Curtis on 04/07/06 at 1:11pm

60th Regiment were The King's Royal Rifle Corps and my 1857 Army List details that there were at that time three Battalions. 1st in India, 2nd at the Cape of Good Hope and 3rd at Dublin. I imagine that there can easily have been a 4th by the time of the issue of this tool. Therefore, the assumption that this is No2 of B Co., of the 4th Bn of the KRRC is correct.

This tool is rather more lavishly marked than are many of those that have survived.

Title: Re: Markings on a Pattern No. 3 Sergeant's Wrench
Post by paetnyc on 04/08/06 at 5:18pm

Thank you Adrian & Bill. Very much appreciate your help and information.
Dave