Also known as: inspector's marks.
| Type | Acceptance and inspection stamps |
|---|---|
| Placed by | Ordnance inspectors |
| Purpose | Certify that an item passed proof and inspection |
| Common form | Inspector's initials and acceptance marks |
Marks of acceptance
Before ordnance entered service it was proved and inspected, and the inspector marked accepted items with stamps, most often his initials, together with acceptance marks. These marks certified that a gun, projectile, or piece of equipment had met the required standard.
Surviving inspection marks help identify who accepted an item and when, and they are part of the evidence, along with foundry and maker's marks, used to attribute and date ordnance.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- United States Army, Ordnance Department. The Ordnance Manual for the Use of the Officers of the United States Army. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1862.
- CivilWarArtillery.com research archive: manuals, reports, marking references, and collecting notes.