the bottom ferrule is brass, 4.5cm long with a worn steel shoe with a dark black patination. the steel is quite rounded, not flat. held on with a deliberate dimple (and some glue i suspect).
the ball end covering does not pass my crude silver test.
actually, i suspect the number is a model number or serial no. of some sort, rather prominent tho.
the late 19c is more likely i think.