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Currently in the site, there are 27 Needhams with the an O on the lock. Of these 27:
1 is dated 1861
16 are dated 1862
8 are dated 1863
2 are unknown lock dates
My findings so far:
The O is only on some Bridesburg locks with the dates of 1861, 1862, and 1863. It is always under the name Bridesburg.
Some New York stamped locks have this O. The New York stamped locks were provided to Sarson & Roberts by Alfred Jenks of Bridesburg.
I believe this is an ordnance stamp. I think these muskets were set aside by Bridesburg due to concerns they would not pass inspection. Or for some reason they did not pass inspection and the O is a stamp saying they have now passed. However it seems most were not sold to the government and instead were sold to the Fenians.
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Another interesting little mystery has popped up while investigating the O on the locks.
On nearly all Brideburgs with a rear date the O is found beneath the ES in Bridesburg. There is some slight variance on some locks as it may be slightly right or left but generally always under the ES. This tells me the inspector who stamped it was precise in his stamping.
However, on Bridesburg locks with a forward date, this precision is not found. The forward date Bridesburgs are an anomaly. The forward date does not comply with the M1861 pattern. The date should be at the rear of the lock. For those forward dates locks with an O, the O is seen in front of the date, over the date and behind the date. Another mystery to be solved for sure.
Forward date lock with O in front of the date.
Forward date lock with O over the date
Forward date lock with the O behind the date
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