This large frame model is an early one. Note the absence of the pin on the side which would indicate the tool does not have the "rocker" cartridge base. The caliber marking on this tool is in the usual location near the hinge pin and typical: ".45.75 W.C.F."; otherwise the tool is a pretty ordinary one except for the unusual marking found on the undersurface of the extraction plate and frame immediately adjacent to that. A few early tools have small 1-3 digit numbers marked there; however, this tool has the capital letter "E" stamped in both spots. It is difficult to get a good image because the markings are only visible from limited angles of viewing. The significance of the letter marking is unknown, but it appears to be original to the tool. It is possible that letters may have been used before numbers as "assembly marks". It would be interesting to see other examples of 1875 tools with alphabetic assembly marks.
